The pundit didn’t hold back as Arthur Fery’s quarter-final opponent lost his cool
17:33, 08 Jul 2026Updated 17:49, 08 Jul 2026
Flavio Cobolli wasn’t happy during his match against Arthur Fery (Image: Clive Brunskill, Getty Images)
Tim Henman told Flavio Cobolli to quit complaining after Arthur Fery’s opponent was triggered by fans at Wimbledon. The British hero won the opening set 6-4 and had just broken back to level in the second at 2-2 when Cobolli began to show his frustration.
There had already been several disruptions, with the umpire reprimanding the Centre Court audience for uncorking their champagne bottles too noisily. The crowd then grew animated during a long rally, prompting Cobolli to protest to the umpire in between points.
That didn’t sit well with the former British No.1, who was in the BBC commentary box. Henman said: “There’s no reason for Cobolli to get annoyed. He can’t control it, nor can the umpire.
“The umpire can ask every point but it’s the natural reaction of an enthusiastic crowd. The more Cobolli complains the more likely the crowd are going to continue to be vocal.”
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Later in the match, at two sets down and battling to avoid being broken for a second time in the third set, Cobolli cupped his ear to the crowd after winning a point, only to lose the game as Fery closed in on a famous win. The Italian couldn’t cope with his opponent or the crowd as Fery romped to victory in straight-sets, winning the third 6-0.
Following his victory, Fery told courtside interviewer Lee McKenzie: “I can’t believe it, it’s incredible playing on Centre Court for the second time, the second win.
Asked how he would be preparing for Friday’s semi-final, he said: “I don’t know as I’ve never been in this position before. I’m just going to keep going, I’ve been doing a great for the last 10 days I’m just going to keep going and see where that takes me.”
Tim Heman had no sympathy for Flavio Cobolli(Image: BSR Agency, Getty Images)
It is 25 years since Goran Ivanisevic famously became the first wild card to win the men’s singles title. Fery is now only two wins away from matching that historic achievement.
Having battled through deciding tie-breaks in comeback wins against Zizou Bergs and Grigor Dimitrov, 114th-ranked Fery completely outplayed ninth seed Cobolli on Centre Court, winning 6-4 7-6 (7-4) 6-0.
While Fery was an unknown quantity to many, American sixth seed Taylor Fritz has been waiting for him to make a big breakthrough ever since they practised together in London at the end of 2024.
Fery has enjoyed a dream run(Image: ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP via Getty Images)
“I was playing well,” said Fritz. “I made finals of (the ATP Tour Finals in) Turin the next week. I felt pretty good about my game. He was beating me every day. I was like, ‘Yeah, this guy’s really good. This guy can play.’
“He had a good forehand for his size. Unbelievable serve. We were playing sets, baseline games. He was cooking me pretty consistently for the week. It doesn’t surprise me at all that he’s winning.”
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