Until this fortnight, Arthur Fery was best known as a promising British player who grew up just five minutes from the All England Club. Now, the 23-year-old has become the surprise story of Wimbledon 2026, reaching the men's singles semifinals as a wild card and igniting hopes of a home champion.

Ranked No. 114 in the world, Fery needed a wild-card entry to compete at this year's Championships. On Wednesday, he produced the biggest win of his career by defeating ninth seed Flavio Cobolli 6-4, 7-6 (4), 6-0 on Centre Court in front of an ecstatic home crowd and Britain's Queen Camilla, who watched from the Royal Box.

"It gets better and better every match," Fery said in his on-court interview. "I just can't believe it."

The victory continued what fans have dubbed the "Ferytale" — an improbable run by a local player who grew up dreaming of competing on the very courts where he is now making history.

Fery received a standing ovation after claiming the opening set, while the roar that greeted his second-set tie-break victory echoed across the All England Club. He wrapped up the quarterfinal with an ace before collapsing onto his back in celebration.

"That last game, I felt emotions that I hadn't experienced before in my life," he said.

His remarkable run has already secured a place in Wimbledon history. Fery is only the second men's singles wild card to reach the Wimbledon semifinals after Goran Ivanišević, who famously went on to win the title in 2001.

There was also a memorable moment before the match even began. As Fery and Cobolli waited in the players' area, they were unexpectedly introduced to Queen Camilla moments before walking onto Centre Court.

Fery's reward is a semifinal clash against Germany's Alexander Zverev, who defeated Taylor Fritz in straight sets to book his place in the last four. Victory there would send the British underdog into his first Grand Slam final.

For a player who entered the tournament with little expectation beyond making the most of a wild-card opportunity, Fery has become the breakout star of Wimbledon. With every victory, the "Ferytale" continues — and Britain dares to dream.