With several British contenders already eliminated from the singles competition, attention has quickly shifted to Fery, who is emerging as one of the surprise stories of this year’s tournament.

Although he now represents Great Britain, Fery was born in Paris to French parents. His family relocated to Wimbledon when he was a child, and he later joined the British tennis development system after initially representing France in his early years. The Stanford University graduate said reaching this stage of Wimbledon carried special meaning because he grew up watching the tournament and dreaming of competing on its courts.

Fery said he had spent much of his childhood imitating players he watched at Wimbledon and described his latest victory as a special moment in his career. His rise has attracted additional attention because of his family background. His mother, Olivia, is a former French Fed Cup player, while his father, Loic, is associated with French football club Lorient.

In the women’s draw, third seed Iga Swiatek delivered one of the most convincing performances of the tournament so far. The Polish star defeated former Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova 6-1, 6-3 in just 69 minutes to secure her place in the third round.

Swiatek looked in complete control throughout the contest, dominating from the baseline and rarely allowing Pliskova opportunities to settle into the match. After navigating a more emotional opening-round encounter, the five-time Grand Slam champion appeared significantly more comfortable on court.

Speaking after the win, Swiatek said she felt much more settled compared to her opening match and was pleased with her focus and decision-making during the contest.

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina also enjoyed a straightforward afternoon on Centre Court. The Kazakh star defeated American Katie McNally 6-1, 6-2 in 71 minutes to continue her campaign.

Rybakina had been pushed to three sets in her first-round match, raising questions about her rhythm on grass, but she answered those concerns with a dominant display. Her powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes kept McNally under constant pressure, allowing the 2022 champion to progress without serious difficulty.

She will next face Belgium’s Elise Mertens in the third round.

Elsewhere, experienced Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov booked his place in the next stage after overcoming Czech player Jakub Mensik in a four-set battle. Dimitrov prevailed 7-6, 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in a match interrupted by rain.

The contest required the Centre Court roof to be closed, a situation that briefly reminded Dimitrov of last year’s difficult Wimbledon campaign when injury forced him to retire from a high-profile match. This time, however, the Bulgarian successfully navigated the challenge and advanced to set up a meeting with Italy’s Matteo Berrettini.

While British fans celebrated Fery’s success in singles, the doubles competition brought disappointment. Katie Boulter and Heather Watson fought hard and saved multiple match points in a dramatic second-set tiebreak but eventually lost in three sets. Their defeat ensured that all six British women’s doubles pairs exited the tournament in the opening round.

The men’s doubles draw offered some encouragement, with leading British players Henry Patten and Neal Skupski progressing to the second round.

As Wimbledon moves deeper into its second week, Fery now carries the hopes of the home crowd in singles competition, while established contenders such as Swiatek and Rybakina continue their pursuit of another Grand Slam title.

French Open prize row deepens as Sabalenka warns boycott

Aryna Sabalenka French Open prize money dispute intensifies, with top players pushing for a 22% revenue share and hinting at a possible boycott if demands remain unmet.

The simmering Aryna Sabalenka French Open prize money dispute took a sharper turn on Tuesday, with the world No. 1 openly warning that players could consider boycotting the tournament if revenue-sharing concerns are not addressed. The remarks come amid growing unease among top-ranked players over what they see as an imbalance between tournament earnings and athlete compensation.

Sabalenka’s comments, made during the ongoing Italian Open, reflect a broader sentiment across both the men’s and women’s tours. Several leading players have in recent days backed calls for a significant revision in how Grand Slam revenues are distributed.

Organisers of the French Open had earlier announced a 9.5% increase in the total prize pool for this year, taking it to €61.7 million (approximately ₹686 crore). While the figure marks a notable rise, players argue it falls short of expectations, particularly given the tournament’s growing commercial success.

According to estimates shared by player groups, the proportion of revenue allocated to athletes could decline from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% by 2026. Players are instead seeking a 22% share, aligning with compensation structures seen in ATP and WTA 1000-level events.

Speaking candidly, Aryna Sabalenka stressed the central role players play in the sport’s ecosystem. “Without us, there would be no tournament and no entertainment,” she said, adding that athletes deserve a larger portion of the revenues they help generate.

She went a step further, suggesting that a boycott may become inevitable if discussions fail to yield results. “There will come a time when we will boycott it. I think this is the only way left to fight for our rights,” she noted, signalling a hardening stance.

Sabalenka is not alone. American star Coco Gauff has publicly supported the demand for better revenue sharing, while men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner is among several top-10 players who have expressed dissatisfaction.

Sources familiar with the matter indicated that informal discussions among players have intensified over the past week, with a rare level of unity emerging across both tours. This alignment between leading male and female players could increase pressure on organisers ahead of the clay-court major.

The dispute is not limited to prize money alone. Players have also raised concerns about long-term welfare, including access to pensions, improved healthcare support, and greater representation in decision-making processes.

They argue that while Grand Slam events generate substantial profits, the benefits for players—especially those outside the top ranks—remain limited. The issue has been a recurring one in professional tennis, but the current push appears more coordinated.

So far, officials associated with the French Open have not issued a formal response to the latest statements. According to tournament insiders, discussions on financial structures are typically handled behind closed doors, though public pressure could accelerate engagement.

Past disagreements between players and organisers have usually been resolved without major disruption. However, the prospect of a boycott—even if remote—raises concerns about the tournament’s global image and scheduling.

With the French Open just weeks away, the coming days could prove crucial. Whether through formal negotiations or informal dialogue, both sides may be compelled to find common ground.

For now, the Aryna Sabalenka French Open prize money dispute underscores a broader shift in athlete expectations—one where players are increasingly willing to challenge established systems in pursuit of what they see as a fairer share.