Fifty days after his unexpected run to the Wimbledon semi-finals, British tennis player Arthur Fery has reached his first ATP tour-level final at the Winston-Salem Open. The 24-year-old secured this career milestone on the eve of his maiden appearance at the US Open.
Fery's performance at Wimbledon, where he reached the final four and lost to Alexander Zverev, saw his ranking jump to world No. 36 and secured him the British No. 1 spot. After a brief break following the Championships, Fery returned to competition at the Cincinnati Masters. His progress at Winston-Salem, a 250-ranked event, saw him defeat several opponents, culminating in a final match against No. 2 seed Ignacio Buse. Although he ultimately lost the final 6-3, 6-2, the run propelled Fery to a live ranking of 33rd.
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The decision to compete in Winston-Salem paid off for Fery, allowing him to build match fitness and gain valuable points. This strategy mirrors that of other players who use the event as a late-season tune-up. Fery's journey through the tournament included wins against Mees Rottgering and a hard-fought three-set victory over Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Fery's game has been honed on American hard courts, including his college circuit experience. However, adapting to the faster ball and higher bounce of hard courts, compared to Wimbledon's grass, presents a challenge. While height can be a factor on these surfaces, particularly against powerful baseliners, Fery's speed and decision-making have been highlighted as key strengths.
"Height in itself isn't necessarily a limiting factor in the game," said LTA performance director Michael Bourne. "It's what height might limit for you, so your ability to generate power, your ability to get around the court, your wingspan, etc. But there can also be counters to those."
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Bourne added that Fery's serve speeds and court coverage, including his speed of decision-making, can compensate for his stature. "He's a very talented boy. He's got great ball speed, he's an amazing decision-maker on the court. He's a good athlete," Bourne stated.
As Fery heads into the US Open, he regains the British No. 1 ranking, having briefly lost it to Cameron Norrie. With no ranking points to defend from last year's US Open, any success in New York will significantly boost his standing.
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Fery's first-round opponent at the US Open is No. 13 seed Lorenzo Musetti. While Musetti is a seeded player, he has experienced an inconsistent season marked by injuries. Fery, entering the Grand Slam with recent match play, will look to capitalize on this opportunity.
Similar to Fery's journey, French player Lois Boisson experienced a rapid ascent in rankings after a wildcard Grand Slam appearance. Boisson noted that such a jump requires significant adaptation to a new tour environment and schedule. "It's totally not what was scheduled at first," she commented on her own experience. "You have to adapt to this new area. Being with new people, only the top players, the top tournaments."
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Fery's Wimbledon performance has provided him with invaluable experience that he can now harness as he aims to climb further in the rankings. His recent success in reaching a tour-level final demonstrates his current form heading into the final Grand Slam of the year.