Arthur Fery, the British No. 1, is set to make his main draw debut at the US Open this week, a significant milestone after a year of rapid ascent in the professional tennis ranks. Just 12 months ago, Fery was competing in Challenger events, the tier below the elite ATP tour, and found it difficult to watch his contemporaries play in Grand Slams.
"It’s a little bit painful seeing all the guys your age who you were playing with in juniors playing the US Open, and you’re playing Challengers, or you’re injured," Fery admitted. "It's not really jealousy, because you know that they deserved it, and you haven’t, because you’re at a lower ranking. But your competitive side wants to be there as well."
Now 24 years old and ranked in the top 40, Fery comes into the US Open on the back of a strong performance, reaching the final of the Winston-Salem Open last weekend. He is scheduled to face world No. 14 Lorenzo Musetti in his first-round match.
Fery acknowledged that his recent success, including a notable run at Wimbledon, has dispelled any notions that his rise was a mere fluke. "I didn't put my expectations too high after Wimbledon. I was just giving myself time to grow into the player that I am, and the status that I now I have, being top 40 and playing these tournaments," he said. "I think that helped with playing well last week and making the final."
After his Wimbledon success in July, Fery took a short break before returning to training. He has adapted to his new reality of competing in tour-level tournaments and Grand Slam main draws, noting that while his business approach remains the same, his environment has changed.
"Because of the tournaments I’m playing, because of the people I’m around, the players I’m around," he conceded. "But I’m trying not to change my way of approaching business."
Fery expressed optimism about his current career stage, stating, "I feel like I’m in the prime of my career. I feel good in my body. I’m playing the best tournaments in the world."
His progress has also served as an inspiration to other British players competing in New York. Following Toby Samuel's advance, Harriet Dart secured her spot in the second round after a hard-fought match. Other British qualifiers, including Jacob Fearnley, Harry Wendelken, Jan Choinski, and Francesca Jones, are also participating in the tournament.