Arthur Fery to be given rare Wimbledon lifetime perk despite losing to Alexander Zverev

Arthur Fery will receive a lifetime perk at Wimbledon despite losing Saturday's men's singles semi-final to world number two Alexander Zverev.

The 23-year-old, who turns 24 on Monday, lost in straight sets 6-7, 2-6, 4-6 to reigning French Open champion Zverev.

It had been a breakthrough run to the last four for Fery, who will climb 78 places up the ATP rankings to 36th once Wimbledon ends on Sunday.

He had only previously won two matches at Grand Slam tournaments, and was given a wildcard to compete at Wimbledon.

Fery defeated three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Grigor Dimitrov in a five-set thriller in round four, before a stunning straight-sets victory over French Open finalist Flavio Cobolli.

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Zverev would ultimately prove too much for the new British number one, but the German was effusive in his praise of Fery in his post-match interview.

"I have to give credit to Arthur - unbelievable player," he said. "He's going to be a senior citizen on our tour, because I think he is going to play on this tour for 15-plus years.

"I think this was just the beginning of his career. I really think he is going to do amazing things in this sport."

Fery said that, before his historic run, he had planned to go on a holiday to Greece during the tournament - and would need to check with his friends that he could still do.

"One of my friends went ahead of time, hoping I would lose so I could join him!" Fery joked. "He came back two days later and was supporting me.

"I definitely need some time off, process everything that's happened these past two weeks ... right now, I'm mentally, physically tired of the tournament. Going to make sure I take enough time to recharge the batteries and then just go again and do my best in every match that I play."

Fery wins rare Wimbledon privilege

While Fery might not be looking to come back to Wimbledon in the near future, he will surely already have eyes on qualifying for SW19 automatically next year.

There is no doubt that, even if he doesn't, he would receive a wildcard to play, given his success this year in what has otherwise been a disappointing fortnight for British tennis across both men's and women's singles.

But his run to the semi-finals has at least guaranteed him one particular perk that he can enjoy for the rest of his life.

Fery has been granted exclusive access to the 'Last 8 Club', which is open to all players who have reached the quarter-finals or better in the men's or women's singles tournaments at Wimbledon, semi-finalists of the men's or women's doubles, and finalists of the mixed doubles.

All members can enter the grounds whenever they want, and receive free tickets on Centre Court and Court One.

There is also an annual 'supper party' held for all members, much like the Masters Champions Dinner in golf.

From the men's side, Fery and Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff, who lost to Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals, have gained access to the special club.

From the women's singles competitors, first-time quarter-finalists Coco Gauff, Marta Kostyuk, Elise Mertens, Linda Noskova and Naomi Osaka have all received the privileges this year.