British star Arthur Fery has been accused of “dishonesty” during his Wimbledon opening-round encounter by his Bosnian opponent, Damir Dzumhur.
The 23-year-old recovered from losing the first set and trailing 2-0 in the second to secure a 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 triumph, becoming the second home player to advance through the first round.
A key moment arrived in the second set’s third game when Dzumhur believed his serve clipped the net. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth declined to call a let, allowing Fery to claim the point.
The 34-year-old Bosnian stormed towards the net demanding answers about whether Fery had paused before playing his return, which the Briton firmly rejected.
Arthur Fery was accused of being ‘dishonest’
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Damir Dzumhur got into a heated discussion with chair umpire Greg Allensworth
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Dzumhur made clear he was frustrated following the defeat.
He said: “I would do it different. I wouldn’t be able to play knowing that I did something that maybe is not true.”
The veteran insisted he merely sought honesty from his opponent rather than requesting the point be replayed, saying: “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.”
Damir Dzumhur made clear his frustrations during and after the match
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His frustration extended to the match official, with Allensworth eventually issuing a warning after repeated complaints.
Dzumhur subsequently called for the supervisor.
“I don’t like it when things are not fair,” he added.
Fery hit back at his opponent’s comments, suggesting the Bosnian had a history of such behaviour.
Damir Dzumhur called for a supervisor during the contest
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He said: “It was expected, to be honest. He does that with everyone. I guess I was just ready for it before the match.
“He obviously wants to make a problem with the umpire and then is trying to speak to me about it. But there is nothing to really speak about.”
To maintain his composure, Fery inserted earplugs during Dzumhur’s complaints.
Fery continued: “I have been doing it for a while now. It helps me. Not just for the opponent but just in general for the crowd, and keeps me in my zone.”
The complaints overshadowed Arthur Fery’s brilliant performance
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Fellow Briton Jacob Fearnley endorsed the tactic, saying: “I know what he’s capable of.
“It’s actually a good idea. Wish I’d thought of it the last couple of times I played him.”
The on-court drama somewhat overshadowed what proved to be an impressive fightback from Fery, who claimed 18 of the final 21 games after the contentious incident.
The victory extends his run of consecutive second-round appearances at the All England Club to two years.
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