Arthur Fery grew up watching Wimbledon from just a short walk away. Now he is the one drawing crowds.
The 23-year-old tennis player, born near Paris to French parents, became the sole British player to reach the third round at this year's Wimbledon tournament. For someone who spent his childhood imitating the professionals on Centre Court, reaching the last 32 of a Grand Slam for the first time feels like a dream quietly coming true.
"I grew up coming to the tournament, watching the players and that definitely contributed to my development," Fery told BBC Sport. "I was trying to imitate players — like you do when you're a kid. Now I'm here winning matches. It's awesome."
Fery moved to Wimbledon as a baby and came up through the Lawn Tennis Association's training system. His mother, Olivia, is a French former Fed Cup player who later worked for the LTA. His father, Loïc, is an asset manager who owns Ligue 1 football club Lorient. As a child, Fery spent summers near La Rochelle and Nice, where tennis courts and academies are everywhere, sharpening his game with family.
He briefly played for France around age 10, but soon switched to Britain. "By that point, there was really no decision to make. I was living here, I was training at the National Tennis Centre. I was in the system here," he said. "I feel completely British now."
Fery's path to the professional game took longer than some. As a teenager, he chose to attend Stanford University in California on a tennis scholarship, studying science, technology and society. The American college system — known for its noise, team spirit, and competitive spirit — helped prepare him for the tour. "I received a world-class education," he said.
Injuries also slowed his progress. Fery dealt with a bruised bone in his arm, similar to the issue affecting Britain's former world number four Jack Draper. But at 5 foot 9 inches tall (1.75 metres), Fery has found his own way to compete against taller opponents. "My returning is a strength, my movement, just general court craft," he said. He has venom in his groundstrokes and nimbleness that lets him finish points at the net with quick volleys.
His second-round match even caught the attention of Catherine, the Princess of Wales, who watched from the stands. Fery did not know she was there until after the match — which he says might have been a good thing. On being Britain's last player standing in the men's singles, he kept it simple: "There's no pressure attached to it. I play for myself."
With the world watching, Fery continues his quiet run at the All England Club — proof that the kid who used to imitate his heroes has become one.