Science, technology and society with tennis on the side: Brit Stanford student Arthur Fery shines against Flavio Cobolli at Australian Open

Arthur Fery left Melbourne Park with a broad smile and a sense of genuine progress after recording the biggest win of his career at the Australian Open, defeating 20th seed Flavio Cobolli 7-6, 6-4, 6-1 to reach the second round.

The 22-year-old Briton arrived in the main draw via qualifying, where he beat Dino Prizmic, Bernard Tomic and Edward Winter without dropping a set, and he said that workload played a major role in how comfortable he felt on court.

“I felt great,” Fery said. “I felt very comfortable on that court. Obviously playing three matches beforehand in qualifying really helped, and I love Melbourne in general.”

While the victory inevitably drew comparisons to his breakthrough win at Wimbledon, Fery was quick to stress how different this moment felt.

“It’s very different because it’s abroad,” he explained. “It’s a Slam away from Wimbledon. Yeah, 20th seeds, but completely different players as well. When you see the draw and you play a seed, you know that you need your best tennis to get through. Maybe that was a good thing for me as well, knowing that I had to really play well and bring my best tennis today to have a chance.”

Fery did exactly that, negotiating a tight opening set before asserting himself as the match wore on. Although Cobolli received medical attention during the contest, Fery insisted his focus never wavered.

“I wasn’t really paying too much attention to him,” he said. “Obviously he had the physios on and off the court at the start and I knew his stomach was bothering him, but then he broke me a few times and he was encouraging himself. There’s nothing really I could do about his physical state. I just tried to focus on myself and put my game on the court and put my best foot forward every time.”

Handling nerves was another key aspect of the performance, particularly with a maiden Australian Open win within touching distance.

“Of course I was nervous beforehand,” Fery admitted. “But at the same time I came through qualifying and I’m playing a guy who’s way higher ranked than me, so I felt like I had nothing to lose. I felt like I held my nerve really well in the third set. It’s easy to hold back a little bit when you know you’re close to the finishing line, but I think I did a really good job today.”

There were also moments of disruption, including lengthy waits for video replays, but Fery treated them as part of the challenge.

“I didn’t know what was going on, but I knew it was worth it,” he said. “When I asked for the video replay, I knew the ball kid was still running, so it was worth the wait. The one before was at a changeover, and I knew I hadn’t really touched the net, so it was just more time to recover.”

Perhaps most encouraging for Fery is the belief that his game can stand up to top-level opponents without forcing the issue.

“I just feel really confident,” he said. “I don’t feel like I have to overplay right now to compete with guys like that. Through qualifying and today, it felt like I was fine sticking with them from the back, and I feel like I’m able to reproduce that level.”

The occasion was made even more special by the presence of family, with his mother making a last-minute decision to fly to Melbourne once he secured his place in the main draw.

“She flew over once I qualified, so she was here today,” Fery said. “The rest of my family — my brother, sister and dad — and friends stayed up to watch. This is my first main-draw Slam outside Wimbledon, so it’s a big event for me and everyone around me.”

Fery credits his parents’ sporting backgrounds with helping him navigate the pressures of professional tennis from a young age.

“That definitely really helped when I was younger,” he said. “They understand how pro sport works and the pressures of it, but also the importance of having a life and an education. That balance is very important, and I’m very lucky for that.”

That emphasis on balance is reflected in Fery’s unconventional pathway to the tour. Rather than turning professional straight out of juniors, he spent three years at Stanford University, an experience he believes was crucial.

“I don’t think I was ready for the pro tour at 18,” he said. “College was a great experience. You get a world-class education, play loads of matches and develop as a player. You’re a bit more on your own, which is character-building, and I was lucky to be around great people and great coaches.”

Fery, who studied Science, Technology and Society and still has one year left to graduate, feels that period helped shape his maturity on and off the court. “At 18, tennis wasn’t my whole life,” he said. “Now it’s my job. I fully live and breathe tennis, but back then I needed that balance in my life.”

On court, Fery’s aggressive instincts and willingness to come forward have become a defining feature of his game. “I’ve always been a pretty aggressive player,” he said. “I’m not the biggest guy, so sometimes you don’t have the firepower to just hit winners from the back of the court. You have to find ways to finish points, and I try to use that to my advantage.”

Physically, he was relieved to feel no issues with his arm after benefitting from rest days between qualifying and the main draw. “I was happy to have two days off,” he said. “I didn’t feel anything today, and I’ll probably have two days off again now, which will be good for recovery.”

Away from tennis, Fery describes himself as a sports fan, following football, basketball, Formula One and even darts, while admitting to a loose allegiance to Chelsea. But for now, his focus remains firmly on the next challenge.

He will face Tomás Martín Etcheverry in the second round, a match he plans to approach with the same calm preparation that has served him so well so far. “We’ll speak about it with my coach and come up with a good game plan,” he said.

Whatever happens next, Fery knows this win represents a meaningful step forward. “I was hoping to play other Slams without needing wild cards,” he said. “Coming through qualifying and winning a round here is something I’m really proud of, and it’s a good step forward for my career.”