Arthur Fery Returns to the Grand Slam Stage With New Confidence

Arthur Fery’s run to the Wimbledon semi-finals changed the expectations around his career. Now, after reaching an ATP 250 final in Winston-Salem, the British player returns to the Grand Slam stage against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti at the US Open.

“

It was a very positive week for me. Obviously there is nowhere near as much attention as the Slams and big ATP events, but I've got to remind myself that its not a normal thing yet to make ATP 250 finals.

Fery won four matches in North Carolina before losing Saturday’s final to Peru’s Ignacio Buse. He described the week as positive preparation, even though he was unhappy with his performance in the final. Playing five matches in five days also gave him a demanding test ahead of New York.

His progress has come quickly. Fery won his first ATP Masters match in Cincinnati against Australia’s James Duckworth, then lost to world number eight Alex de Minaur. His Winston-Salem results strengthened his belief that he belongs at that level, although he narrowly missed the top-32 cutoff for US Open seeding.

“

I wasn't really happy with my match in the final, but it was a long week and first time I'd played five matches in five days in a very long time. It's great preparation for the US Open.

That left him with a difficult draw against Musetti, the 13th seed. The Italian has reached the quarter-finals at the US Open, French Open and Australian Open, and recently advanced to the quarter-finals in Washington and Cincinnati after recovering from a thigh injury.

“

Some weeks you get good draws, some weeks you get tougher draws - it is how it is. I missed out by one spot on a seeded position and then I draw the 13th seed - it's a bit unfortunate but some things go your way and some things don't. I still feel I have my chances in that match-up if I prepare and play well.

Fery said the draw was unfortunate but insisted he still had a chance if he prepared and played well. Debate has also focused on whether his 5ft 9in height could limit him on the ATP Tour. Michael Bourne, the Lawn Tennis Association’s performance director, rejected that concern, pointing to Fery’s ball speed, decision-making and athleticism. “He’s earned the right for us not to put a ceiling on him,” Bourne said.

“

He has great ball speed, whether off the ground or from the serve, he's an amazing decision-maker and a very good athlete. He's earned the right for us not to put a ceiling on him. He's a talented young man and there is a lot to be excited about - let's see how far he can go.