French-born Arthur Fery becomes Britain's Wimbledon hope
Arthur Fery, who grew up a short walk from Wimbledon, is the only British man left in the singles draw after reaching the third round. He shares his journey from France to Britain and Stanford University.
Arthur Fery, Britain's men's number three, has become the only home player to reach the third round of the singles at this year's Wimbledon Championships. The 23-year-old, born just outside Paris to French parents, moved to Wimbledon as a baby.
Fery came through the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) system before heading to Stanford University in California, where he earned a degree in science, technology and society while honing his tennis on a scholarship. The American collegiate system, with its noise, trash-talking and team bonding, helped prepare him for the professional tour, he said.
His mother, Olivia, is a former French Fed Cup player who worked for the LTA as a business development manager, while his father, Loic, is an asset manager who owns Ligue 1 club Lorient. The family has a second home near La Rochelle on France's west coast, and Fery spent many summer holidays there and with relatives near Nice, an area rich in courts and academies.
Fery briefly represented France when he was about 10 before switching to Britain shortly after. He says there was "no question" about representing Britain professionally, as he was living in the country, training at the National Tennis Centre, and fully in the system. "I feel completely British now. Maybe 10 years ago if you'd asked me the question, it would be a bit different. Now I feel very British at heart," he told BBC Sport.
His progress has been hampered by injuries, notably a bruised bone in his arm similar to the problem that troubled former British number four Jack Draper. His breakthrough was also delayed by his decision to study at Stanford.
At 5ft 9in (1.75m), Fery is shorter than many ATP peers, but he compensates with heart, talent, and court craft. His returning and movement are strengths, he says.
Fery's second-round match was watched by Catherine, Princess of Wales, patron of the All England Club. He only found out afterwards, which he thinks might have been for the best to avoid extra nerves.
On being Britain's last man standing, Fery said: "I wouldn't say it's pressure. If anything, it's a good thing for me personally. Obviously for the Brits in general, it's not as good. We'd love to have as many Brits as possible in the third round. But there's no pressure attached to it. I play for myself."
