This Wimbledon Semi-Finalist Just Reached His First Ever ATP Final — And He Was Ranked Outside The Top 100 Two Months Ago 🎾

Stop everything, because Britain's tennis underdog story of the summer just got another chapter — and honestly? We're getting emotional. 🎾

Arthur Fery has reached his first ever ATP Tour final at the Winston-Salem Open, continuing the most ridiculously feel-good run of 2026. Yes, the same Arthur Fery who shocked the world with his Wimbledon semi-final appearance just weeks ago is STILL going.

And get this: eight weeks ago, he was ranked outside the top 100.

The Journey To The Final

The 24-year-old advanced to Saturday's final after his semi-final opponent, Australia's James Duckworth, retired through injury while Fery was leading 6-4 2-1, according to BBC Sport.

Duckworth called for a medical timeout after the first set and couldn't continue — not the way anyone wants to win, but Fery was gracious about it.

"I am really happy to be in the final," Fery said. "Not the way I wanted it to end at all. I hope James will get well soon and rest up for next week. But I am very happy to be through."

The Tea ☕

Here's what you need to know about Fery's breakthrough moment:

• He's the first Brit EVER to reach the final of the Winston-Salem Open (an ATP 250 event)
• He's now ranked a career-high 33rd in the world and has overtaken Cameron Norrie to become British number one
• His Wimbledon semi-final run in July was the launchpad for this incredible summer
• He'll face Peru's Ignacio Buse (world No 36) in Saturday's final

From Nowhere To British Number One

Sky Sports reports that Fery has "paved his way through the ATP 250 event" with wins over Cruz Hewitt, qualifier Mees Rottgering, and Aleksandar Kovacevic in the quarterfinals.

The path to the final? Clinical. The vibes? Immaculate.

Fery went from outside the top 100 to British number one in TWO MONTHS. That's not a glow-up, that's a full transformation.

What's Next?

Saturday's final against Buse won't be easy — the 22-year-old Peruvian won his first tour-level trophy at the ATP 500 in Hamburg in May and is riding his own wave of momentum.

"It's going to be another tough match," Fery admitted. "Ignacio is playing really well. He's a young guy who is breaking out so it's going to be a great match."

And Then There's The US Open...

The timing couldn't be better. Fery's maiden ATP final appearance comes just days before the US Open, where he'll make his main draw debut.

He just missed out on being seeded, but honestly? After the summer he's having, we wouldn't bet against him.

His first-round opponent? Italy's world No 14 Lorenzo Musetti. Tough draw, but this is a guy who made the Wimbledon semis as a relative unknown — never count Arthur Fery out.

The Fairy-Tale Continues

What makes this story so good is how FAST it's all happened. Earlier this summer, Fery was a name most casual tennis fans had never heard of. Now he's British number one, a Wimbledon semi-finalist, and on the verge of his first ATP title.

The dream summer continues — and we are absolutely HERE for every second of it. 🇬🇧

Are you backing Arthur Fery to win his first ATP title on Saturday? Let us know in the comments!

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Sources:

• BBC Sport: Fery into first ATP Tour final as opponent retires
• Sky Sports: Arthur Fery reaches Winston-Salem Open final after opponent retires injured