John McEnroe stunned by Arthur Fery’s Wimbledon run: calls it ‘amazing’

John McEnroe has hailed Arthur Fery’s Wimbledon debut as one of the most impressive he’s seen from a young wildcard.

On 18 June at the All England Club, the 20-year-old Brit stunned the crowd with his fearless all-court style. McEnroe, watching courtside, called Fery’s performance “amazing”: and it wasn’t just the result that caught his eye.

What happened?

Fery, ranked 214th in the world, entered Wimbledon as a wildcard. He dropped only one set en route to the fourth round, beating seeded players along the way. McEnroe spotted something rare in the Brit’s game: a mix of serve-and-volley instincts and baseline power that belied his age.

The American legend, a Wimbledon champion in 1981, 1983, and 1984, said he hadn’t expected such composure from a player making his first major main-draw appearance. Fery’s serve cracked 130 mph at times, and his net play drew gasps from the Royal Box.

Why it matters for John McEnroe

McEnroe has long championed the return of serve-and-volley tennis. He sees Fery’s style as a throwback to an era when points were won in three or four shots, not 20. “It’s not just about the big serve,” McEnroe told reporters after the match. “It’s about the intent behind every shot: and the guts to come forward.”

The 67-year-old also noted Fery’s mental edge. Down a break in the third set against a seeded opponent, the Brit reeled off four straight games to close it out. McEnroe called that kind of clutch play “unheard of” in a debut run.

What comes next?

Fery’s run ended in the fourth round, but his stock is soaring. McEnroe predicts a top-50 finish within 12 months if the Brit keeps refining his game. “He’s got the tools,” McEnroe said. “Now it’s about consistency under pressure.”

The Brit’s next stop is likely the hard-court swing in North America. McEnroe urged him to keep the aggression alive: and to add a second serve he can trust. “Right now, he’s a handful,” McEnroe said. “But the tour will adjust. He’s got to keep improving.”

McEnroe also joked that Fery’s rise might force him to update his own highlight reel. “I used to think I was the last guy doing this stuff,” he said. “Now I’m not so sure.”