Arthur Fery, a wildcard entry ranked world No. 114, has stormed into the semi-finals of Wimbledon, prompting his multi-millionaire father Loic to speak out about the remarkable run. Loic Fery, president of Ligue 1 side FC Lorient and a hedge-fund owner with a reported net worth of around £275 million (€320 million), has been a constant presence in his son's box throughout the tournament.
Father's Pride in Son's Achievement
Loic Fery, who used to own FC Lorient, is now better known as 'Arthur's dad' as his son's performances have captured attention. Speaking to L'Equipe earlier this week, he said: "It's primarily about his journey. He's progressing in his tennis development, his career. That comes from experience." He added: "He arrived with more experience, more to his name. He's still a young player who's learning, but thanks to his performances, he's starting to gain considerable recognition in France and England."
Dream Run at Wimbledon
Fery, born in France but raised in the UK from infancy, lives just minutes from the All England Club. His run has shattered his initial goal of breaking into the top 100, as he will now crack the top 40 after the tournament. This ensures direct entry into Grand Slams and potential seeding. Loic noted: "The initial goal was to be among the top 100 to be able to play in the Grand Slams. He'll have reached that milestone after the tournament."
Facing Alexander Zverev in Semi-Finals
Fery will face No. 2 seed and recent French Open champion Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals. Loic expressed confidence in his son's calm demeanor: "The pressure has never been on him. He's always been the underdog. This is his path. He's calm, serene, and aware of his strengths." He recalled a moment in the third round when Fery was down two sets to one and two breaks down: "I can tell you that a lot of people left the stadium. We believed in it because with him, as long as there is a chance, he will never stop believing that it is possible."
From Junior Days to Centre Court
Loic emphasized that his pride remains unchanged from when Arthur was a child. "I'm just as proud today as I was when I used to go watch him play when he was four or six years old," he said. "I experience all of this like a dad going to watch his son at the sidelines for a Sunday match. It's first and foremost his project." He added: "He's often been called 'the son of'. I'm thrilled to become 'the father of'."
