Arthur Fery’s stunning Wimbledon campaign will continue on Friday.
Fery, the world number 114, has become the first qualifier since Goran Ivanisevic in 2001 to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals.
The British star has defeated Grigor Dimitrov and Flavio Cobolli en route to the last four in south-west London; and he is now set to become the new British number one.
Do you believe Arthur Fery can win Wimbledon?
The youngster also had the honour of competing in front of Roger Federer in the fourth round, and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom in the quarter-finals.
Speaking after his quarter-final victory over Cobolli, Fery discussed how he felt competing in front of the two iconic figures.
Arthur Fery said it was an ‘honour’ to play in front of Roger Federer and Queen Camilla
“Yeah, it’s been getting a bit busier weirdly. I wonder why?” Fery joked while speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live after beating Cobolli.
“It’s going to be something that I’m going to have to deal with moving forwards a little more,” Fery said of his newfound fame.
“It’s still fresh, so just taking every day as it goes and yeah, I’m going to get used to it – hopefully.”
Fery then commented on the emotions of his fourth round and quarter-final matches, noting the effects of playing in front of Roger Federer and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom.
“Yeah, especially the win against Grigor [the emotions were intense]. It was such a long match, such a rollercoaster,” Fery continued.
“Ups and downs and the tiebreak in the fifth.
“I was nervous playing in front of Roger and obviously the queen today as well. But yeah, it’s an honour to be playing in front of such legends and royalty.”
Fery is set to become the new British number one after defeating Cobolli on Wednesday.
The current world number 114 is set to move up 78 spots to world number 36, overtaking compatriot Cameron Norrie.
If the Briton reaches the final in London, he will move in the world’s top 30.
Will Arthur Fery lift the Wimbledon trophy on Sunday?
Few, if any, onlookers would have predicted this outcome at the start of the tournament.
However, Fery has produced some of the best tennis of any player this year; and he is now a strong contender for the Wimbledon title.
His game – centred around flat ball-striking and effective net rushes, is tailor-made for the grass surface.
Give us your one crazy prediction for the second week of Wimbledon!
Of course, winning the title is no simple feat. The Briton will need to come through second seed Alexander Zverev, and then either seven-time champion Novak Djokovic or defending title holder Jannik Sinner.
Zverev, Djokovic, and Sinner are also all vastly more experienced than Fery at Grand Slam events.
However, with the British player riding a wave of momentum alongside the fervent crowd in south-west London, Fery should not be underestimated.
