Arthur Fery reaches Wimbledon fourth round in historic British wildcard run
Synopsis
A wildcard who grew up walking distance from the All England Club, Arthur Fery outlasted world No. 37 Zizou Bergs across five sets and three nosebleeds to become the first British player to reach Wimbledon's second week in recent years — and he'll enter the top 100 for the first time as reward.
Key Takeaways
Arthur Fery defeated Zizou Bergs 2-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(5) on 5 July 2025 to reach the Wimbledon fourth round .
The match lasted 4 hours 38 minutes , with Fery recovering from two breaks down in both the fourth and fifth sets.
Fery suffered three nosebleeds during the match, causing over 22 minutes of cumulative delays.
He is the first homegrown British player to reach the second week at the All England Club in recent years.
The result will lift Fery into the top 100 of the ATP rankings for the first time.
British wildcard Arthur Fery produced one of the most remarkable stories of Wimbledon 2025 on Saturday, 5 July, defeating Belgian world No. 37 Zizou Bergs 2-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(5) in a gruelling 4 hours 38 minutes to reach the fourth round — becoming the first homegrown player to advance to the second week at the All England Club in recent years.
A Match Like No Other
Fery's path through the match was anything but smooth. He battled back from two breaks down in both the fourth and fifth sets, overcame three separate nosebleeds that caused cumulative delays of over 22 minutes, and absorbed a medical timeout for Bergs in the fifth set — all while carrying the weight of being the last British player standing in the draw.
'There's no words for it, honestly,' Fery said after the match. 'I don't know what's going on right now. It's going to take some time to really digest it. And I'm just so glad.'
How the Match Unfolded
Fery made a shaky start, spending seven minutes to hold his opening service game before being broken two games later. His first nosebleed arrived just as he was about to serve at 3-1 down in the first set, allowing Bergs to run away with it. The Belgian's superior power and serving — standing 6ft 1in against Fery's 5ft 9in — looked decisive early on.
The second set saw a more composed Fery, guided by coach Jeroen Benard who called out from the box: 'Serve for the forehand. Serve for your next shot. Don't serve for the ace. Come on: legs.' Fery responded, breaking back immediately after dropping serve and eventually stealing the set when Bergs double-faulted on set point.
Bergs reasserted himself in the third, cutting errors and playing to his strengths. The fourth set appeared to be heading the same way until Bergs, two breaks to the good, faltered at the finish line — his serve and forehand collapsing as Fery clawed back both breaks to force a decider.
In the fifth, Bergs raced to 4-1 again. Fery reeled him back to level, then suffered his third nosebleed at 5-5, causing an eight-minute delay. He returned, held his nerve, and claimed the set and match in a tiebreak.
The Wimbledon Local Who Grew Up Next Door
Fery, who grew up just a few minutes' walk from the All England Club, entered the tournament as a wildcard and was not among the favourites even after the first round. As other British players withdrew through injury or fell in early rounds, Fery quietly advanced.
He has spoken candidly about his game's strengths relative to taller opponents. 'Tennis is a sport where I think everyone, like all heights, can thrive in a certain way,' he said. 'I try to return with very good quality and move better than guys who are taller. My returning is a strength, my movement, just general court craft.'
What Comes Next
With the fourth-round berth confirmed, Fery is set to break into the top 100 of the ATP rankings for the first time. As Britain's sole remaining representative at Wimbledon, he carries the home crowd's hopes into the second week — though Fery himself insists there is no burden in that. 'There's no pressure attached to it,' he said. 'I play for myself.'
Point of View
Yet homegrown players reaching the second week remains a rarity. Fery's self-coached resilience — clawing back from two breaks down twice, playing through nosebleeds, managing a partisan crowd's expectations — suggests mental fortitude that rankings do not yet reflect. The real test is whether this is a Wimbledon anomaly on a surface that suits his movement and returning, or the beginning of a consistent top-100 presence.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Arthur Fery and why is his Wimbledon run historic?
Arthur Fery is a British wildcard who grew up near the All England Club and entered Wimbledon 2025 without a seeding. His fourth-round victory over Zizou Bergs makes him the first homegrown British player to reach the second week at Wimbledon in recent years.
How did Fery beat Bergs at Wimbledon 2025?
Fery won 2-6, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(5) in 4 hours 38 minutes, recovering from two breaks down in both the fourth and fifth sets. He also overcame three nosebleeds that caused more than 22 minutes of delays across the match.
What does reaching the fourth round mean for Fery's ranking?
The fourth-round result will propel Fery into the top 100 of the ATP rankings for the first time in his career, a significant milestone for the British wildcard.
Who is Zizou Bergs, the player Fery defeated?
Zizou Bergs is a Belgian professional tennis player ranked world No. 37 on the ATP Tour and the champion of the Eastbourne grass-court tournament ahead of Wimbledon 2025. He was considered the favourite for much of the match.
Is Arthur Fery the last British player left at Wimbledon 2025?
Yes, as of his fourth-round qualification on 5 July 2025, Fery is the sole remaining British player in the Wimbledon draw, after other homegrown competitors withdrew through injury or were eliminated in the earlier rounds.
