British wildcard Arthur Fery advanced to the second round of Wimbledon on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, after a comeback victory against Bosnian opponent Damir Dzumhur.
The match was marked by an intense dispute over a let call.
Fery, ranked 114th in the world, recovered from a set and a break down to win 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.
He became the first British male player to reach the second round of the tournament this year.
Controversial Let Call Sparks Row
The match turned during the fourth game of the second set.
Dzumhur believed his serve at 15-30 hit the tape, but umpire Greg Allensworth did not call a let.
Dzumhur accused Fery of dishonesty.
“I wouldn't be able to play knowing that I did something that maybe is not true,” Dzumhur said.
He lost his momentum after the disagreement, winning only three of the next 19 games while continuing to argue with the official.
“I felt like he stopped, nobody called let. I didn't ask him to replay but just to be honest, because I would do that.
Obviously we are not all the same,” Dzumhur added. He later criticized Fery's character, saying, “Maybe he’s a good person out of the court.
But on the court, no.”
Fery's Response and Earplug Strategy
Fery downplayed the confrontation, saying he expected a difficult interaction.
“To be honest, it probably benefited me in a certain way because I was a bit slow and a bit heavy in my legs,” he said.
“So that got the spark ignited in me and I just got myself going.”
Fery wore orange earplugs during changeovers to block out Dzumhur's complaints. He explained that he had used earplugs earlier this year to maintain focus.
“I find it helpful,” he said.
“It helps me not just for the opponent, but just in general for the crowd, and keeps me in my zone.”
Fery noted that Dzumhur's behavior was typical. “He does that with everyone.
I was just ready for it before the match,” Fery said.
He added that Dzumhur tried to involve him in the dispute with the umpire, but there was nothing to discuss.
“He obviously wants to make a problem with the umpire, and then he is trying to speak to me about it.
But there is nothing to really speak about,” Fery said. During one changeover, Fery told Dzumhur to stop staring at him.
Fellow British wildcard Jacob Fearnley praised Fery's earplug tactic.
“It’s actually a good idea – wish I’d thought of it the last couple of times I played him!”
Fearnley said. Fearnley also won his match, defeating 42nd-ranked Alex Michelsen.
Fery's victory, along with wins from Fearnley, Katie Swan, and Jan Choinski, prevented a historic opening-round elimination for British players after 10 losses on Monday.
Fery will face Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen in the second round, who upset American fourth seed Ben Shelton.
