Arthur Fery Declares Himself 'VERY British' Amid French Claims

Arthur Fery, Wimbledon's emerging tennis star, affirmed his strong British identity despite some attempts from France to claim him due to his birthplace in Paris and his ability to speak French with his affluent parents. Fery, 23, reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon as a wildcard entrant, marking a significant achievement in his career that began with a world ranking of No. 114 prior to the tournament's start.

Having moved to Wimbledon in his youth, Fery pursued his education locally before attending university in the United States. His success at Wimbledon has drawn attention from the French media, who are labeling him as their 'last remaining hope,' considering his dual nationality and familial connections to France.

Following his quarter-final win over Flavio Cobolli, Fery expressed his feeling of closeness to Britain, stating, "In regards to the French, I mean honestly less and less these days. I've now lived here a long time... I feel very British; I live here, all my best friends live here, I went to school here, I train here. My roots are very much tied to London now." He acknowledged still speaking French with his parents and cousins, who reside in France.

Fery has a tennis lineage, representing France at the Under-12 level. His mother, Olivia, was a professional tennis player who competed in the 1991 French Open and played for her country in the competition now known as the Billie Jean King Cup. His father, Loic, is a prominent figure in France's financial sector, recognized as a private investor and hedge fund manager, with a net worth of €320 million (£272 million) in 2023. Loic was also a previous owner of the football club FC Lorient.

Arthur Fery's journey to the semi-finals reinforces his strong connection to the UK, as he remarked on his decision to represent Great Britain: "There was really no question" due to the environment in which he developed his skills. His father elaborated, referencing Fery’s deep ties to the area where he grew up, stating, "He's a true Wimbledon boy. It's like someone who grew up in Boulogne playing at Roland Garros. He went to school five minutes from here. He's always lived here."