British wildcard Arthur Fery is preparing for his Wimbledon semi-final against second seed Alexander Zverev while enjoying the comforts of home just minutes from the All England Club. The 23-year-old, ranked world No. 114 before the tournament, has relished the chance to stay in familiar surroundings, citing the benefit of sleeping in his own bed and eating home-cooked meals during the championship fortnight.
Fery, who grew up in Wimbledon and has been a member of the club for many years through his mother Olivia, has described the experience as a welcome break from the typical life of a touring tennis professional. Unlike many players who stay in hotels away from home for the duration of Grand Slam events, Fery has had the luxury of recovering between matches with family support and a stable environment, which he credits for helping maintain his focus amid the pressure of his breakthrough run.
“It’s nice to just chuck a movie on and not think about tennis a little bit,” Fery said, noting that he has been watching The Godfather trilogy during downtime, humorously considering whether he might reach Part III if he advances to the final. While he admits he does not cook, Fery helps with chores around the house and enjoys the home-cooked meals prepared by his mother.
Fery comes from a sporting family with deep connections in both tennis and football. His mother, Olivia, is a former player who represented France and Hong Kong and is a full member of the All England Club, while his father, Loic Fery, is the president of Ligue 1 football club FC Lorient. His family’s athletic background has been cited as a positive influence on his development, with British Davis Cup captain Leon Smith praising Arthur’s temperament, work ethic, and grounded personality.
Despite some initial challenges with recurring nosebleeds during his early matches—later addressed through a minor medical procedure—Fery has maintained composure on court, embracing the support from his family and the familiarity of home. He highlighted the advantage of not needing to adjust to new environments or accommodations, which can add stress for lower-ranked players.
If Fery overcomes Zverev, he will advance to a Wimbledon final in a tournament where his ranking will rise dramatically, likely breaking into the top 40. His semi-final appearance coincides with a significant weekend in British sport, with England’s football team scheduled to face Norway in the World Cup. Fery expressed enthusiasm about the sporting momentum in the country but indicated he has kept his focus primarily on his own matches.
“It’s been great to see British sport doing so well,” he said. “England had a great win against Mexico. I’m sure they’ll do well against Norway.”