Jacob Fearnley breaks into the ATP top 100 in first season on tour
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22-year-old Jacob Fearnley became the latest British star to break into the ATP top 100 this week after rising 28 places to a career-high world No.98.
The latest achievement in his young career came after winning his fourth ATP Challenger title in Orleans – becoming only the second Brit to win four Challenger singles trophies in a season alongside current British No.1 Jack Draper (2022).
Since joining the tour full-time in June, the Briton has improved his ranking from world No.535 to No.98 in just a few months.
Fearnley played only his first ATP Challenger tournament at the Rothesay Open Nottingham this summer after graduating from Texas Christian University (TCU) where he competed in the NCAA. TCU has also seen the likes of Cam Norrie, Alastair Gray and currently Jack Pinnington Jones come through its ranks in recent years.
During his time in the States, Fearnley was part of one of the school’s most successful teams, winning the NCAA Division I Championships for the first time – the biggest team competition in the American collegiate system.
Fearnley – who was supported by our specific NCAA performance programme during his time in in America – played a big part in the team that defeated Texas 4-3 in the final earlier this year.
Throughout his time studying and competing in the NCAA, Fearnley was also able to play a handful of ITF World Tennis Tour events, including the M25 Edgbaston in October 2023 where he won his first professional title.
Kick-starting his full-time professional career at the British grass court season, Fearnley battled through qualifying at the Lexus Nottingham Tennis Centre before going on to beat compatriot Charles Broom in the final – becoming only the fourth Brit to win the men’s singles title after Andy Murray (2023), Dan Evans (2019 & 2022) and Greg Rusedski (1997 & 2003).
The tile run earnt himself a Wimbledon wild card which he took advantage of. In his Grand Slam main draw debut he defeated Alejandro Moro Canas in straight sets before going on to take a set off seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in the second round.
In the months since, Fearnley has only continued to build his momentum. He has played four ATP Challenger events since July, winning three titles and reaching another semi-final.
After clinching the Lincoln Challenger title with wins over top seed Christopher Eubanks, Yunchaokete Bu and Christopher Wong, he then set his sights on France where he has picked up back-to-back trophies in Rennes and Orleans.
Now ranked as the British No.3, Fearnley will hope to continue his impressive form throughout the remaining months of the 2024 season, with eyes on the Australian Open main draw in January.
