Arthur Fery is planning to draw inspiration from fellow British player Jack Draper as he navigates his rise to become Britain's No. 1 tennis player following a breakthrough performance at Wimbledon. Fery's unexpected run to the semi-finals, which concluded with a loss to Alexander Zverev, has propelled him from world No. 114 to a career-high of No. 36. This achievement has also doubled his career prize money, bringing it to approximately £1.5 million.
Despite his newfound success, Fery expressed a commitment to remaining humble. He noted that Draper, who has achieved greater success, still drives a modest Volkswagen Polo, a detail he plans to emulate. Fery himself is content with his current Mini Cooper, stating he has no immediate plans for extravagant purchases.
"I don't need a car, I've already got a car, it's a Mini Cooper and I like it a lot," Fery said. "It's funny, Jack Draper's obviously much more successful than me and he still drives a Volkswagen Polo. So I'll take some inspiration from that and stay humble."
The immediate aftermath of his Wimbledon campaign involves fulfilling a holiday plan that was postponed due to his extended run in the tournament. Fery had originally intended to be on holiday in Greece with friends on the day his semi-final match took place.
"I was meant to be coming back from holiday today," he revealed. "Was meant to be going to Greece with some friends. One of my friends went ahead of time - hoping I would lose so I could join him! - he came back two days later and was supporting me."
Following his Wimbledon success, Fery plans to take a short break to disconnect from tennis and reset before returning to competitive play. He intends to make his Masters-level debut in either Montreal or Cincinnati. He will also watch the Wimbledon final, a match he had hoped to be playing in himself.
Looking ahead, Fery anticipates that opponents will adapt to his playing style now that he is a more recognized threat on the tour. He expects to face strategies designed to counter his strengths. However, he is optimistic about his prospects, citing his strong mental fortitude and physical resilience as key assets. Fery highlighted his ability to maintain focus during critical moments as a significant takeaway from the tournament. Furthermore, he reported feeling physically robust, having completed nearly 19 hours of tennis without experiencing pain or requiring painkillers, a testament to the sacrifices he has made in his diet, recovery, and lifestyle over the past year.