Arthur Fery maintains that he feels no extra pressure despite now holding the position of British No. 1 as he prepares to step back onto the court this weekend. The 23‑year‑old’s recent surge to the Wimbledon semi‑finals – a feat achieved by only four other Britons in the Open Era – catapulted him into the ATP’s top‑40 rankings, a dramatic rise from a year‑earlier ranking of 198. In order to preserve his physical freshness, Fery opted out of the Canadian Open, choosing instead to arrive in Ohio early to acclimatise to the conditions ahead of the ATP 1000 event in Cincinnati, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis.
"It’s an honour to be the No. 1 player in Britain, but I’m not going to pile any extra pressure on myself," Fery told Sky Sports. "I’ll just treat each match as it comes, keep putting in the work day after day – both in practice and on tour – and see where that takes me. That’s the approach that has served me well this year, so I’ll stick with it." Fery’s immediate goal is to secure a seeding for the season‑ending Grand Slam, the US Open, which kicks off on August 30.
A deep run in Cincinnati would bolster his ranking points and give him a more favourable draw in New York. Since Wimbledon, he has been training in London but flew to the United States this week to get used to the different courts, climate and time zone. He also noted that his fellow players have been particularly welcoming as he navigates the rapid rise in his profile. "Throughout the whole fortnight it’s been amazing to feel such strong support.
I’ve never had that many fans behind me before, and it’s something I’ll always remember," he said. "Now, here in Cincinnati, playing my second Masters 1000 main‑draw match, I’m excited to take on the tough challenges that lie ahead this year." The Cincinnati Open also features several other British hopefuls.
Jack Draper has received a wildcard and could potentially face world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the third round if he wins his opening matches against Spain’s rising star Martín Landeluce and Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. Draper, who was in tears after a first‑round loss to Terence Atmane at the Canadian Open, will be hoping to stay healthy after a recent arm injury resurfaced.
Cameron Norrie will meet Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, while Jan Choinski is set to play Argentina’s Thiago Agustín Tirante. Katie Boulter remains the sole British woman in the draw, taking on American Katie Volynets.
Fery, as a seeded player, enjoys a bye into the second round of the tournament. His performance in Cincinnati will be closely watched, not only for its impact on his ranking but also as a barometer of how he handles the heightened expectations that come with being Britain’s top male tennis player. Beyond the matches themselves, the event is part of a broader narrative in British tennis, which has seen a resurgence of talent in recent years. The visibility of players like Fery, Draper, Norrie and Boulter on big stages such as the Masters 1000 events and the upcoming US Open helps inspire the next generation of players and draws greater public interest to the sport.
Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, via the NOW streaming service, or through the Sky Sports app, with coverage running from August 13 through August 24. The tournament will culminate just days before the US Open, providing a final tune‑up for those aiming to make a deep run at the final Grand Slam of the calendar year.