Arthur Fery, the British wildcard, has captured attention at Wimbledon as he reaches the semi-finals, facing second seed Alexander Zverev on July 10, 2026. Having grown up near the All England Club, this 23-year-old's journey reflects both local roots and international talent.
From Local Courts to Global Stage
Fery's story begins at the Westside Tennis Club, just a mile from Wimbledon, where he first picked up a racquet at the age of four. His parents, both athletes, played significant roles in nurturing his talent. His mother, Olivia, competed at the 1991 French Open, while his father, Loic, a financier, owned the French Ligue 1 football club Lorient. Fery attributes much of his success to their unwavering support throughout his career.
“They’re both extremely supportive with my career, not only now but over the past 10 to 11 years I’ve been playing sport,” Fery shared with BBC Sport. His upbringing in a sports-centric family laid a solid foundation for his tennis career.
A Rising Star in Tennis
Fery's exceptional skills emerged early, catching the eye of coaches and tennis academies. By the age of 10, he was recognized as one of the UK’s most promising young talents. Under the guidance of Craig Veal at the Sutton Tennis Academy and former ATP player Benoit Foucher, Fery honed his skills against adult competitors rather than focusing solely on junior rankings.
“When he was 16, he then got his junior ranking up very, very fast compared to a lot of his peers, because he was ready to play,” Veal remarked. This strategic decision paid off as Fery later won World Tennis Junior singles and doubles titles, reaching a high of 12 in the world rankings.
