Arthur Fery insists that his recent elevation to Britain’s No.1 ranking has not added any extra weight to his shoulders as he prepares for his first tournament back since the dramatic Wimbledon semi‑final run that captured the nation’s imagination. The 23‑year‑old, who became only the fifth British man in the Open Era to reach the last four at Wimbledon, has catapulted into the ATP top‑40 and is now perched at world No.198 in the 2025 rankings after a remarkable surge.
Fery chose to sit out the Canadian Open, opting for rest and recovery, and will instead make his comeback at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati this weekend, a tournament that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis. When asked about the pressure of being Britain’s top male player, he replied calmly to Sky Sports, "It’s obviously a privilege to be No.1 in Britain. I’m not going to put any added pressure on myself." He elaborated on his mindset, saying, "I’ll just take each match as it comes, keep working hard day in, day out, both in practice and at tournaments, and see where that takes me. That’s what I’ve been doing this year and it’s worked well so far, so I’m just going to keep going in the same direction." This pragmatic approach, grounded in routine and incremental progress, reflects the attitude that helped him break through at Wimbledon.
Fery’s immediate goal is to secure a solid performance in Cincinnati that will help him obtain a seeded position for the final Grand Slam of the season, the US Open, which kicks off on August 30. A strong showing in the Masters 1000 event would not only boost his ranking points but also give him valuable match practice on hard courts ahead of the American swing. Since Wimbledon, the young Brit has been training in London, focusing on sharpening his serve, improving his movement, and fine‑tuning the tactical aspects of his game that proved decisive on the grass at the All England Club. Earlier this week he flew to Ohio to acclimatise to the local conditions, noting that the hospitality of fellow players has made the transition smoother.
"All the way through the fortnight, it was just incredible to have so much support. I’ve never had that amount of people and fans behind me, so that was really special," he said.
Now in Cincinnati, Fery will enter the draw as a seeded player with a first‑round bye, meaning his opening match will be against a competitor who has already had a chance to adjust to the courts. He expressed enthusiasm about the challenge: "Now here in Cincinnati, playing my second Masters 1000 main draw, I’m really looking forward to playing all these tough events this year." The tournament also features other British hopefuls.
Jack Draper has received a wildcard and could potentially meet Novak Djokovic in the third round if he navigates past Spanish up‑and‑comer Martin Landeluce and Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. However, Draper is still nursing a recent arm injury that forced him into tears after a first‑round loss to Terence Atmane at the Canadian Open, leaving his fitness for a grueling schedule uncertain.
Cameron Norrie will face Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, while Jan Choinski is set to play Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante. On the women’s side, Katie Boulter is the sole British representative, scheduled to meet American Katie Volynets.
Beyond the matches, the Cincinnati Open offers a preview of the upcoming US Open atmosphere, with both events streamed live on Sky Sports, NOW, and the Sky Sports app. Fans can follow the action from August 13 through August 24, and then transition seamlessly to the Grand Slam that begins on August 30.
Fery’s rise has sparked a wave of excitement across British tennis, reminding supporters of the country's rich heritage at Wimbledon while heralding a new generation ready to challenge the sport’s elite. His calm demeanor, combined with a clear focus on incremental improvement, suggests that his journey is only beginning. If he can maintain his composure, stay injury‑free, and continue to build on the confidence gained from his semi‑final run, there is every reason to believe he could become a fixture in the upper echelons of the ATP rankings and a genuine contender at future Grand Slam events.
In summary, Arthur Fery returns to competitive play with a measured outlook, a supportive fan base, and a clear objective: to cement his status as a top‑40 player, earn a seeded spot at the US Open, and continue the momentum that has defined his breakthrough season. The tennis world will be watching closely as he steps onto the hard courts of Cincinnati, ready to translate his Wimbledon magic onto a new surface and into the next chapter of his promising career.