Arthur Fery scripted history at the 2026 Wimbledon as he reached the semi-finals despite being the 114th-ranked player in the world. The British star only entered the men’s singles draw as a wildcard and etched his name in the history books by making the last four and setting up a clash against French Open winner Alexander Zverev, where he has the chance to set up a summit clash battle with World No.1 Jannik Sinner and 24-time winner Novak Djokovic.
Ferry stunned the world by defeating the 9th seed, Flavio Cobolli, on Center Court on Wednesday (July 8) at the iconic Center Court of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The local favorite was defeated 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), and 6-0.
Arthur Fairey Creates History
Fery has become only the second player in Wimbledon history to reach the semi-final as a wildcard and the first since Goran Ivanisevic’s incredible run to the title in 2001. The 23-year-old is the first British wildcard to make the final in the summit clash. Overall, this is the fourth instance of a wildcard playing in the semifinal of the men’s singles in a major in the Open Era. Apart from two instances at Wimbledon, Jimmy Connors (1991 US Open) and Henri Leconte (1992 Roland Garros SF).
Fery is also the lowest-ranked player to play the semi-final of Wimbledon since Ivanisevic in 2001. The Croatian was ranked 114th in the world at that time. The British sensation is the 5th lowest ranked player to play the Wimbledon semi-final and the joint 13th in the Grand Slam.
As per OPTA, Ferry has the fewest ATP Career wins (11) since John McEnroe (9) in 1977 en route to a maiden Wimbledon semi-final. The World No. 114 has the fourth fewest wins while making a maiden major semi-final.
He has also become only the fifth British player to play in the semi-final of the men’s singles in Wimbledon history.
Before today, Ferry’s best finish in a Grand Slam at the men’s singles was a second-round appearance in both int the 2025 Wimbledon and 2026 French Open.
