Wimbledon wildcard Arthur Fery advances to semi-finals, Djokovic pursues history
British wildcard Arthur Fery has captured attention at Wimbledon, embarking on a notable run that sees him in the semi-finals. His journey culminates in a match against French Open champion Alexander Zverev. Fery, who grew up near Centre Court, achieved the greatest results of his career on these courts.
Fery’s path to the semi-finals marks him as only the second man to reach this stage as a wildcard, a feat previously accomplished by Goran Ivanisevic in 2001. Unlike Ivanisevic, who was already a well-known player with multiple Wimbledon runner-up finishes, Fery’s success has emerged unexpectedly. Former Australian player and commentator Todd Woodbridge noted Fery’s “extraordinary tennis.”
Ranked 114th globally, Fery had only two prior Grand Slam match victories before this tournament. His recent performance includes five wins, notably a decisive victory over Italian ninth seed Flavio Cobolli, where he secured the third set 6-0. This series of wins has made him a prominent figure in this year’s Championships.
Fery’s journey to Wimbledon
Fery’s connection to Wimbledon began early, as he first played tennis at the Westside Tennis Club, located just over a mile from the All England Club, at the age of four. Born in Sevres, outside Paris, his family relocated to London before his first birthday. His parents, both with sporting backgrounds, are credited with shaping his career. His mother, Olivia, played doubles at the 1991 French Open and competed in the Fed Cup, while his father, Loic, a financier, previously owned French Ligue 1 football club Lorient.
Alison Taylor, a family friend and coach at the Westside club, gave Fery his first tennis lesson. She observed his exceptional athleticism, footwork, and touch, noting his preference for drop shots and net rushes. These skills have been fundamental to his current success, allowing the 5ft 9in player to compete effectively. Coaches Craig Veal and Benoit Foucher guided Fery during his youth, opting for him to develop his game against adults in the UK rather than focusing on international junior rankings early on.
Fery later enrolled at Stanford University in California, pursuing a degree in science, technology, and society on a tennis scholarship. This period allowed him to mature and refine his game under coaches like Brandon Coupe, who highlighted Fery’s calm demeanor under pressure. Despite struggling with bone bruising in his arm, an issue that also affected fellow Briton Jack Draper, Fery has invested in his career, including bringing in a full-time physio and a biomechanics expert to modify his serve. His coach, Jeroen Benard, noted that the new serve is helping to reduce force through his bones, contributing to his current pain-free play.
Djokovic’s pursuit of history
While Fery has been the surprise story, Novak Djokovic continues his pursuit of tennis history. The 39-year-old advanced to the semi-finals after a lengthy quarter-final match against Felix Auger-Aliassime. Djokovic is now set to face defending champion and world number one Jannik Sinner in what will be his 55th Grand Slam semi-final, and his 15th at Wimbledon.
Djokovic is aiming for a 25th Grand Slam singles title. He expressed his determination to continue competing at the highest level, stating, “I still want to go at least one step further. I still try to prove to myself and others that I’m able to compete with the best players in the world and beat them on the biggest stage.”
Sinner, despite a scare in the opening round against Miomir Kecmanovic, has largely progressed without significant challenges. He has yet to face a seeded player in the tournament. The upcoming semi-final against Djokovic will be a significant test for Sinner. The two players have a recent history in Grand Slam semi-finals, with Sinner winning at Wimbledon last year and Djokovic securing a victory at this year’s Australian Open. Sinner remarked that “every match against him has really had its own story.” Another chapter in their rivalry will unfold on Friday.
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Source: rnz.co.nz
