​Britain’s Arthur Fery has left his childhood coaches beaming with pride as he gears up for a first Wimbledon quarter-final against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli. The 23-year-old, who spent his early years living in Wimbledon, has come “full circle” by reaching the Championships, according to Tinus Nortje, who coached him at the Westside Tennis Club.
“I’ve watched him grow into a local player who truly embodies this community,” Nortje said. “For him to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals is unbelievable.” Fery, currently ranked 114th in the world, battled through a five-set thriller against Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round on Monday, having entered the tournament as a wild card. He is believed to be the first British wild card to reach the quarter-finals.
From the outset, Nortje noticed a calm, unwavering resolve in Fery that is rarely found in players. “He’s always up for a challenge, incredibly disciplined and hard-working, and he’s a joy to be on court with,” Nortje said. He added that Fery’s stint playing college tennis at Stanford in the United States had contributed significantly to his development, and that the traits he displayed as a youngster would carry him through the last eight.
Fery will face Cobolli on Wednesday, a rival he already beat in the opening round of this year’s Australian Open. His progress has drawn attention well beyond the courts; Alison Taylor, who coached him from age four until he was 12, watched the latest triumph from the Royal Box. Taylor reported that former world No. 1 Roger Federer watched the match and congratulated Fery on his performance. “It was an incredible match, a real rollercoaster. Knowing Arthur, he’s fearless,” she said.
Taylor noted that Fery’s ascent had been a process of slow, steady progress, even when some suggested he might need more private coaching. “He thrives on the big occasions and he loves to perform,” she said. “He’s worked incredibly hard and has faced his share of injuries and setbacks, but you can feel the pride for him, his family and his whole team. I played a small part in his upbringing and instilled a love for the game, but he’s done the hard work and it’s showing now.”
Young players currently training at Fery’s former club say his success has inspired them. “It’s wonderful knowing he used to play on these courts,” one member said. “The whole community knows him, and we’re all really proud of how far he’s gone.”