Just seven days ago, there was doom and gloom around the performances of British players at this year’s Wimbledon.
Only four of the 19 Britons in the men’s and women’s singles draws made it through the first round, while both Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper were missing with injury.
Step forward, Arthur Fery.
On Monday, Fery played the match of his life to come back and beat Grigor Dimitrov in five thrilling sets to reach the quarter-finals of his home major.
Centre Court could not contain itself as Fery twice fought back from a break down in the fourth set to stun former world number three Dimitrov 7-5 3-6 4-6 6-4 7-6 (10-7)
Fery is the first wildcard and first player outside the top 100 since Nick Kyrgios in 2014 to reach the Wimbledon last eight in the men’s singles.
Only once has a wildcard gone on to lift the Wimbledon trophy – and that was Goran Ivanisevic in his iconic 2001 title run.
While there would still be three matches to go to match that run – starting with Wednesday’s quarter-final against Italian ninth seed Flavio Cobolli – Fery will be celebrating either way on Sunday, as it is his 24th birthday.
“What I experienced today, I’m going to cherish for the rest of my life,” Fery said.
“Who knows, maybe I will never get to experience that ever again. It’s the first time I’m playing on this stage.
“That might be the first and last time – but hopefully not.”
