Arthur Fery following his win over Flavio Cobolli (Image: Getty)
Arthur Fery returned to social media to thank his supporters after reaching the Wimbledon semi-finals. Fery added another extraordinary chapter to his SW19 fairy tale by overcoming Flavio Cobolli to set up a final four tie against Alexander Zverev.
Before this week, world number 114 Fery had never gone beyond the second round at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. But after beating French Open runner-up and ninth seed Cobolli 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-0, he is now just one win away from a place in Sunday’s final. And on his return to social media, he said in an Instagram post: “Hey guys. I haven’t been on socials but wanted to jump on here quickly to say a massive thank you to everyone sending support.
“Means the world to me and I’m looking forward to the semi’s on Friday.”
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Goran Ivanisevic is the only other wildcard to have reached this stage at Wimbledon – and he went on to win the title. And when asked if history could repeat itself, Fery said: “I have never been in this position before so I guess it will be a first time, and we will figure it out as we go. We will keep going, and see where that takes me.”
While reacting to his victory, the 23-year-old said: “It just seems to get better and better every match. I can’t believe it. It’s incredible playing on Centre Court for the second time, and a second win, I just can’t believe it.
“I played Flavio earlier this year and beat him which was a boost of confidence, I knew I could do it even though it was my first time in the quarter-finals in a grand-slam. I just kept going, I was very nervous before but kept going until the finish line.
Arthur Fery during his victory over Flavio Cobolli (Image: Getty)
“Definitely felt it on the inside, that last game I felt emotions I hadn’t experienced before in my life and I think it’s the same up there in my box. It’s unbelievable to share it with those guys, they’re a great bunch. I’m so happy.”
Fery met Queen Camilla ahead of his victory Cobolli, and after his match he admitted: “We were getting ready to come on and she came to say hello, she introduced herself to both me and Flavio. Playing in front of tennis legends and now the Queen, it’s special.
“She was waiting for me at the end of the match. She congratulated me. I told her how much of an honour it was for me to play in front of her. She just said, ‘Congratulations, keep going.’
“I told her it was my birthday on Sunday, so it would be great to play the Wimbledon final on my birthday.”
Queen Camilla watched Arthur Fery beat Flavio Cobolli (Image: Getty)
Cobolli admitted the occasion got to him, saying: “I think that I didn’t play good since the first point of the match. Maybe I was a little bit nervous. Maybe I felt the pressure that normally I don’t feel.
“Playing a quarter-final against a guy that already played a marathon match, many hours on court, ranking lower than me, so I felt like it was a chance to have a good day for me today.”
On Fery, the Italian added: “Also in Australia, I felt that his level wasn’t from a guy that’s outside the top 100. He always played good tennis since he was young. We grew up together. Tennis can change like this. I felt that his level is really high today.”