(July 6, 2026) World No. 114 Arthur Fery gave the home folks in Britain an extended “fairytale” fortnight as the 23-year-old defeated former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov 7-5, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(10-7) in a little less than four hours on Monday to win the battle between wild cards to advance to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon. Coming to Wimbledon, the former Stanford University player had just a 2-4 record in major tournaments.
Fery has become the 5th wild card in the Open Era to reach the men’s singles quarterfinals at Wimbledon and the 11th wild card in the Open Era to reach the men’s singles quarterfinals at a Grand Slam. He is also the first player ranked outside the Top 100 to reach the last 8 of the men’s singles here since No. 144 Nick Kyrgios in 2014.
“I have no words right now. I’ll do my best, but it’s incredibly tough to put words to what I’ve just felt on a tennis court in front of all you guys,” Fery said on court. “The support was phenomenal.”
“It’s been the story of the tournament for me. I was really close to losing my last round as well, and again today, a break down in the fourth,” Fery said.
“Just trying to keep fighting, keep having a good attitude, committing to what I’m trying to do on the court, and it managed to pay off. I’m playing really well with my back against the wall, and again it paid off today,” Fery added.
“We’ve got probably the greatest of all time watching in the front row over there,” Fery said in regard to Roger Federer’s attendance in the Royal Box watching the matches on Centre Court. “And now playing here in front of all you guys, having the support and winning, it’s unbelievable.”
In the final 8, Fery will take on French Open finalist and No. 9 Flavio Cobolli, who defeated No.5 Alex de Minaur 7-5, 7-6(4), 6-3.
Also advancing to the elite 8 for the men is Taylor Fritz.
The last of the round of 16 matches pitting French Open winner Alex Zverev up against Jiri Lehecka was suspended due to the curfew with Zverev up 6-4, 7-5, 3-3. The match will resume after the first match on Tuesday on Centre Court.
In women’s action, the eight quarterfinalists are now set.
Former Wimbledon finalist, Jasmine Paolini stopped the run of No. 29 Alexandra Eala 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to make a second return to the quarterfinals. Also advancing were Marta Kostyuk, Elise Mertens and Linda Noskova.
More to follow….
