Arthur Fery insists that his recent elevation to Britain’s No. 1 ranking has not added any extra weight on his shoulders as he prepares to step back onto the court this weekend. The 23‑year‑old, who captured the nation’s imagination with a stunning run to the Wimbledon semi‑finals, will make his first appearance since that breakthrough at the ATP 1000 event in Cincinnati, a tournament that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis.
Fery’s Wimbledon performance was historic: he became only the fifth British man in the Open Era to reach the last four at the All‑England Club. The achievement catapulted him into the world’s top‑40 for the first time, a dramatic rise from a year‑end ranking of 198 in 2025. Rather than riding the wave of newfound fame, Fery chose to skip the Canadian Open in order to rest and recover, opting instead to arrive in Ohio early to acclimatise to the local conditions and the fast‑playing surfaces typical of the North American swing.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Fery was clear about his mindset. “It’s a privilege to be the British No. 1, but I’m not going to pile on any extra pressure,” he said.
“I’ll take each match as it comes, keep grinding day in and day out, both in practice and on the tour, and let the results speak for themselves. That’s the approach that has served me well this season, so I’ll stick with it.” His calm, methodical attitude reflects a broader strategy aimed at securing a seeded position for the year’s final Grand Slam, the US Open, which kicks off on August 30.
A deep run in Cincinnati could boost his ranking points enough to guarantee a seed, thereby offering a more favourable draw at Flushing Meadows. To that end, Fery has been training intensively in London since Wimbledon, but he flew to the United States earlier this week to fine‑tune his game to the humid, hard‑court environment of the Midwest.
The young Brit also highlighted the overwhelming support he has received since his Wimbledon heroics. “Throughout the fortnight, the outpouring of support has been incredible.
I’ve never experienced that many fans behind me before, and it’s been truly special,” he remarked. “Now, here in Cincinnati, playing my second Masters 1000 main‑draw match, I’m eager to test myself against the toughest opponents of the season.” Fery’s schedule in Cincinnati begins with a first‑round bye, a privilege afforded to seeded players. He will join a field that includes several high‑profile match‑ups, such as Tommy Paul versus Flavio Cobolli, Amanda Anisimova versus Jessica Pegula, and a marquee showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and a returning US Open champion who is recovering from a wrist injury, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Other notable fixtures feature Aryna Sabalenka against Sara Bejlek and Alexander Zverev taking on Tommy Paul. These contests provide a glimpse of the depth and excitement that the tournament promises. British compatriot Jack Draper has also entered the Cincinnati draw via a wild‑card and could potentially face Novak Djokovic in the third round, should he navigate past Spanish hopeful Martin Landeluce and Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi.
Draper, still nursing the emotional aftermath of a tearful loss to Terence Atmane at the Canadian Open and dealing with a lingering arm injury, will be hoping for a swift recovery to compete in multiple matches. Other British men on the roster include Cameron Norrie, who will meet Croatia’s Dino Prizmic, and Jan Choinski, slated to play Argentina’s Thiago Agustin Tirante. On the women’s side, Katie Boulter stands as the sole British representative, facing American Katie Volynets in the opening round. The Cincinnati Open runs from August 13 to August 24, offering fans a final taste of high‑level tennis before the US Open begins.
All matches are available live on Sky Sports, with streaming options through NOW and the Sky Sports app for those who prefer to watch on digital devices. Fery’s approach—combining humility, diligent preparation, and a focus on incremental progress—mirrors the traits that have propelled his rapid ascent. By refusing to let the title of British No. 1 become a source of added stress, he aims to let his game speak for itself, building on the momentum generated at Wimbledon and translating it into consistent performances on the hard courts of the United States.
If he can maintain this steady trajectory, a seeded spot at the US Open and further deep runs in future Masters events appear well within reach, cementing his status as one of Britain’s most promising tennis talents.