Arthur Fery, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals, is set to compete at the US Open, facing Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in his opening match. Fery narrowly missed out on a seeding at the tournament, which could place him against top players early in the draw.
Musetti, described as an excellent returner and adept mover, is considered a contender in what is viewed as an open men's field. The Italian reached the quarter-finals at the US Open last year and has achieved similar results at the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon in recent seasons. A thigh injury had previously sidelined him from the French Open and Wimbledon, but recent quarter-final appearances in Washington and Cincinnati suggest he is regaining form.
Fery acknowledged the challenge of his draw. "Some weeks you get good draws, some weeks you get tougher draws - it is how it is," he stated. "I missed out by one spot on a seeded position and then I draw the 13th seed - it's a bit unfortunate but some things go your way and some things don't."
Despite the tough matchup, Fery expressed confidence in his ability to perform. "I still feel I have my chances in that match-up if I prepare and play well," he said. The British player's performance in the coming months will be closely watched, particularly given his recent emergence on the Grand Slam stage.
Discussions have arisen regarding whether Fery's height of 5 feet 9 inches might be a limitation on the ATP Tour, where taller players often have an advantage. However, Michael Bourne, the Lawn Tennis Association's performance director, dismissed these concerns. "I don't think Arthur's height has to be something which we sit here and worry about," Bourne commented. "He has great ball speed – whether off the ground or from the serve, he's an amazing decision-maker and a very good athlete. He's earned the right for us not to put a ceiling on him. He's a talented young man and there is a lot to be excited about - let's see how far he can go."