Wimbledon 2026 results: Arthur Ferry defies odds to reach shock semi-final

By all concrete measures, Arthur Ferry should not be in the Wimbledon semi-finals.

The 23-year-old earned a wildcard in his home country for the Grand Slam, having been ranked 114th in the world before the tournament began.

Ferry has never been past the second round at a major in the sport, while this is only his fifth appearance at a Grand Slam.

But with every remarkable victory, it rewrites history at the All England Club.

“It’s one of the best feel-good sporting stories of the year,” Australian Todd Woodbridge, a former Wimbledon doubles champion, told BBC TV.

“I’m not even British and I feel these feelings!

“You don’t want Arthur Ferry to wake up because he plays exceptional tennis.”

Not since Goran Ivanisevic’s memorable run to the title has a wild card reached this exciting stage of Wimbledon.

The Croatian provided one of the most memorable moments in the sport 25 years ago when he won the title at SW19.

Ferry is also the lowest-ranked player to reach the semifinals at Wimbledon since Ivanisevic in 2001.

“It’s in the biggest semi-final in tennis,” Ivanisevic told BBC 5 Live.

“He just has to keep enjoying it. Once you stop having fun, it’s no good. He’s in a perfect position with the whole country behind him.”

“He’s a great player with a bright future. So enjoy it, enjoy the crowd and play good tennis.”

And as he continues to captivate a nation on the championship stage, just a short walk from where he grew up, this legendary career does not appear to be bound by precedent.

BBC commentator Andrew Cotter said: “Apparently the man who grew up near Central Court now owns it.”