Inside Jacob Fearnley's stunning rise as Scots tennis ace who took set off Djokovic breaks world top 50 before Wimbledon
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SCOTTISH tennis star Jacob Fearnley caused a splash at last year's Wimbledon when he took a set off Novak Djokovic.
And he's primed to cause more mischief to the sport's top names on the grass at SW19 in the next fortnight after climbing to a career high ranking of 49.
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Jacob Fearnley in action against Jiri Lehecka
Credit: Alamy
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Jacob Fearnley (right) following his defeat to Novak Djokovic
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Jacob Fearnley and girlfriend Keagan Polk
Credit: keagan.polk / Instagram
That came after a storming run to the quarter finals at Queen's Club, beating Alex Bolt and Corentin Moutet to reach the last eight where he duly went out to Jiri Lehecka.
Born in Edinburgh, Fearnley was earmarked as a player of some potential from an early age.
A promising junior, he defeated both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz when they were 15 - defeating Alcaraz in a final set tie-break at a Grade 2 event in Spain.
None other than Roger Federer also practised with him as a 17-year-old at Wimbledon - but while some players emerge in a hurry Fearnley has taken a long time to become an overnight success.
Brought up in Edinburgh by his mum Samantha, who was an HR manager in the NHS, the catalyst for Fearnley's emergence has been moving to Texas Christian University (TCU) in the States.
Fearnley played college tennis there and carried TCU's Horned Frogs team to three national titles, not to mention meeting beach volleyball star Keagan Polk, who's often seeing cheering the Scot on from the stands.
He's credited TCU coaches David Roditi and Devin Bowen for taking his game to a different level.
He said previously: 'I think college helped me a lot. TCU was the best decision I ever made. I learned so much from being there. I got the opportunity to be coached by, I think, two of the best coaches in the world.
'Aside from the fact of physically developing more, I think I'm definitely mentally stronger and deal with things a little bit better than maybe I did in the past.
"And I think that the other big thing is that I just believe in myself a little bit more.
Australian Open clash suspended with players forced to move court over fan behaviour during Jacob Fearnley match
"And that belief has come through just a lot of hard work and a lot of people supporting me."
This time last year the Scot wasn't even in the world's top FIVE HUNDRED players.
The Lowdown: Jacob Fearnley Birthplace and Background: Jacob Fearnley was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and began playing tennis at the age of three. Education: He played collegiate tennis at Texas Christian University (TCU), earning All-America honours during his four years and leading TCU to multiple championships. Professional Career Start: Fearnley turned professional in May 2024 and quickly made an impact by winning his first ATP Challenger title at the Nottingham Open. Playing Style: He is right-handed with a two-handed backhand, standing at 6 feet tall (183 cm) and weighing 80 kg. Rankings and Achievements: Currently ranked World No. 49 in singles and No. 238 in doubles (highest rankings achieved). He has reached significant milestones such as the third round of the French Open and quarterfinals at Queen's Club Championships. Davis Cup: Represented Great Britain in the Davis Cup, achieving a notable victory against Kei Nishikori of Japan. Grand Slam Success: Secured his first major match win at Wimbledon.
But things changed when he turned up for qualifying at a Challenger tournament in Nottingham a couple of weeks later.
He went on to win the tournament, earning himself a Wimbledon wild card, where he beat Alejandro Moro Cano on debut to reach the second round and defeat to eventual runner up Djokovic.
Making it into the Australian Open in January by dint of his ranking, Fearnley defeated home favourite Nick Kyrgios before going down in the third round to Alex Zverev.
He got plenty of support from rowdy Scotsmen in the Melbourne crowd - although one man was so drunk he got thrown out!
More Grand Slam match wins followed on the clay of Paris this year, as he defeated former champion Stan Wawrinka and leading Ugo Humbert by a set before the Frenchman could no longer continue.
Cam Norrie put an end to that run, but a favourable draw and Fearnley will hope to be on the march again this summer.
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