Arthur Fery has become the first wildcard to reach the Wimbledon men's singles semifinals in 25 years after defeating No. 9 seed Flavio Cobolli in a decisive straight-sets match. The 23-year-old British player, currently ranked world No. 114, secured his spot in the final four with a performance that impressed onlookers and silenced previous caveats about his path to this stage.
Fery's victory on Centre Court was celebrated by Queen Camilla, who was present in the Royal Box. The match saw Fery display a style of grass-court tennis reminiscent of British great Andy Murray, characterized by aggressive returns, subtle hand skills, and sophisticated tactics. Unlike Murray's often passionate on-court demeanor, Fery maintained a composed approach throughout the match.
"That last game I felt emotions I have never felt before in my life," Fery stated after the match. "I’m just going to keep going. I’ve been doing a great job over the last 10 days so just keep going and see where it’s going to take me."
Fery's journey to the semifinals marks a significant improvement from his previous Wimbledon appearances, where he had never advanced past the second round. He has now won five matches in the current tournament, including all five tiebreaks he has played. His impressive footwork on the grass courts was also highlighted as a key factor in his success, allowing him to cover the court with exceptional grace.
In the match against Cobolli, Fery showcased a variety of shots, including slices, drop shots, and delicate volleys, which proved effective against the Italian's powerful topspin forehand. The encounter saw Fery control the pace, with notable moments including a spectacular point where he raced across the court to retrieve and return a volley, followed by a successful lob and smash. He sealed the match with an ace.
Fery's next challenge will be against French Open champion and No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev in the semifinals. Should he win that match, he would advance to face either Jannik Sinner or Novak Djokovic in the final, with the potential to celebrate his 24th birthday on Sunday with a Wimbledon title.