Arthur Fery details tennis ‘back-up plan’ despite historic wildcard run at Wimbledon

Arthur Fery could be destined for a long and successful tennis career, but a degree remains part of his to-do list.

The 24-year-old has just enjoyed a remarkable run to the semi-finals at Wimbledon after entering the tournament as a wildcard.

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Fery beat the world No. 10 Flavio Cobolli in front of a home crowd on Centre Court to confirm his place in the final four.

It made him only the second wildcard entry since Goran Ivanisevic in his 2001 victory to reach the semi-finals at the All England Club.

Now the British men’s singles No. 1, Fery has become one of the most promising tennis players that the country has seen in recent years.

However, he isn’t getting carried away with his new-found success as he keeps a keen eye on education.

Fery has studied for a degree in Science, Technology and Society at Stanford University, a prestigious private research centre in California.

“I haven’t quite graduated yet, but I’m well on the way,” he explained on talkSPORT Breakfast.

“Three out of four years done, I can go back and finish it wherever I can back in California.

“I wanted to go to a good school in America to have good academics and a back-up plan in case tennis didn’t work out.”

Fery ready for the fame

Having had such a deep run in the tournament, Fery was eventually beaten by Alexander Zverev, who lost to Jannik Sinner in the final.

But he could follow in the footsteps of compatriot Emma Raducanu, who catapulted herself into stardom by winning the 2021 US Open.

Raducanu claimed victory in Flushing Meadows aged just 18 and has spent many of the following years as British women’s singles No. 1.

Since then, she has had sponsorship opportunities with brands such as Uniqlo, HSBC and British Airways.

However, Raducanu’s fame has also skyrocketed, which means there has been an increase in media attention.

Fery could soon find himself having the same spotlight after his joy at Wimbledon, although he’s ready to tackle it head-on.

When asked if he is ready for such a change, he admitted: “Yeah. I’m going to have to be. It’s not gone from zero to 100 either, which is nice.

“The past few years, I’ve gotten wildcards at Wimbledon and played the Australian Open, so I’m a little used to it.

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“Now it’s probably going to ramp up, but I’m ready for it. Just try and focus on the game as well, when I can, and not get too distracted by the rest.”

Fery will look to add to his stellar 2026 by making his debut at the US Open, with qualifying beginning on August 24 in New York.