Arthur Fery reveals what Queen told him after stunning quarter-final win over Flavio Cobolli at Wimbledon - 'She was waiting for me'
Updated 09/07/2026 at 00:04 GMT+1
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Home favourite Arthur Fery became the first wildcard to make the semi-finals of Wimbledon since Goran Ivanisevic, defying the rankings to thump Flavio Cobolli on Centre Court under the watchful eyes of one very famous figure.
Highlights: Fery's fairytale run continues as semi-finals take shape
Video credit: SNTV
Fery needed just over two hours to beat the Italian ninth seed, coming through in straight sets in front of a partisan crowd and dropping to the grass after sealing the win and setting up a semi-final meeting with French Open champion Alexander Zverev.
He admitted to some nerves in the build-up to the match, which was understandable ahead of his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final.
But it later turned out both players had been greeted by Her Majesty the Queen in the clubhouse before they walked out, something that could easily set even more nerves jangling.
”We were getting ready to come on, and she came to say hello, she introduced herself to both me and Flavio,” Fery said afterwards.
”It's obviously an honour to play in front of her. Great to meet her. She had some really kind words to me at the end, as well. Playing in front of tennis legends and now the Queen, so it's special.”
Fery was not overawed by the occasion, looking composed throughout the match and completing the win with an ace.
He made the most of all his opportunities, hit winners throughout and made a mockery of his ranking - which was outside the top 100 heading into Wimbledon, but will rise into at least the top 40 following his run here.
And it seems Fery is not content to stop just yet.
”The Queen, 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!”
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- How Fery made Wimbledon history with wildcard semi-final run after beating Cobolli
Royalty aside, Fery has won himself plenty of new fans with his style of play, the 23-year-old happy to go for his shots and chase down everything, even winning one chaotic point at the net after slipping over against Cobolli.
Standing at 5’9’’, he does not have the biggest of serves, and has to rely on his quick court coverage and aggression to hit through some of his opponents.
Such a style has earned him comparisons with Kei Nishikori, the Japanese former top-10 player who made it to the final of the US Open back in 2014.
But it is another player who Fery believes his game sometimes emulates.
”I mean, that's a good thing to be compared to such a great player like Nishikori. I would say [we are a] similar height. Kei had a great, great backhand that he really relied on.
”I also feel like I have a very natural backhand. I used to sometimes be compared a little bit to Agassi in the way that I stay close to the baseline, take balls early.
”[I’m] just trying to play my own way and make a name for myself.”
Fery ‘deserves’ to be top 50, says Cobolli
Cobolli has lost to Fery twice this year, both in Grand Slams. The duo played in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne, with Fery winning in straight sets.
As such, he is uniquely placed to comment on the British player’s expected rise up the rankings.
”In Australia, I felt that his level wasn't from a guy that [is] outside of the top 100. Now I think he is close to, I don't know, 50?” Cobolli said, before being told Fery will rise to at least 36 in the world.
”36, even better. I think he deserves [it]. He always plays good tennis since he was young. We grew up together.”
The Italian was understandably disappointed with his own performance, admitting that ”today wasn’t my day.”
”Maybe [Fery] played better than the other matches. I don't know. I didn't see the other one.
”But I felt that his level was really high today,” he concluded.
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