MEET THE WIMBLEDON WILD CARD WHO HAS PREVIOUSLY DEFEATED CURRENT CHAMPION CARLOS ALCARAZ AND JANNICK SINNER AND WATCHED HIS 'IDOL' ANDY MURRAY PLAY AT THE AGE OF 12
- Fearnley earned a place at Wimbledon after shooting up the world rankings with victory at the Nottingham Open
- The 22-year-old has previously defeated Carlos Alacaraz and Jannick Sinner
- Fearnley faces Djokovic on Centre Court on Thursday after defeating Alejandro Moro Canas in the first round
GO back a couple of weeks and the name Jacob Fearnley would most likely have been met with a nonchalant shrug of the shoulders by most tennis fans.
How time - and a few victories can quickly change the fortunes of those who battle away quietly in the lower echelons of the sport.
In just a few short weeks, the Scot has started to make a big noise for himself.
He was ranked outside the world’s top 500 until he won the Nottingham Open last month - shooting up the rankings to 277 and earning a wildcard for Wimbledon.
Now his impressive rise becomes positively meteoric as he faces none other than Novak Djokovic on Centre Court today for a place in the third round. It’s an encounter of David and Goliath proportions; Fearnley, in his first Grand Slam, taking on arguably the greatest player of all time.
However the 22-year-old has already proven that he can dance with the big boys, having previously beaten world no.1 Jannick Sinner and last year's Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz at youth level.
The 22-year-old from Edinburgh, who spent his formative years at college in the US, will expect nothing, but will hope for the world.
‘Yeah, it’s going to be a little bit intimidating, but it’s a match that I’m super excited for,’ said Fearnley, who defeated Alejandro Moro Canas on Tuesday to land his shot at the Serb.
‘It’s the biggest match of my career so far. Just to be able to share the court with a player like that will be really special.’
No-one has to remind Fearnley that the giant on the other side of the net fought some incredible battles with his compatriot Andy Murray down the years.
That included two of Murray’s three Grand Slam triumphs, when he defeated Djokovic at the US Open in 2012 and Wimbledon in 2013.
Although he’s had no contact with Murray while climbing the cut-throat world of professional tennis, the man from Dunblane will be on his mind today, 11 years on from watching his idol's Wimbledon final victory on TV aged 12.
‘He’s the best role model a British tennis player can have, especially a Scottish player like me,’ said Fearnley.
‘I watched him growing up, the way he climbed up the rankings, the way he competes, the way he plays, it’s super special to see.
‘I take a lot of what he does and try to implement it in my game. If I have any kind of success like he’s had on the tour, I’ll be super happy. I’m super grateful for what he’s done for the sport.’
Although today's match against the 24-time Grand Slam champion is without a doubt the Scotsman's biggest match of his life, both in terms of competition and setting.
The 22-year-old won't shy away from the opportunity, especially knowing he was a top-ranked junior who competed in the same ranks as the current world no.1 and no.3, Jannick Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
The Scottish lad should be instilled with confidence that he can cause the mightiest of upsets against the seven-time Wimbledon winner, having claimed wins against both the Italian and Spaniard who at youth level who would go on to become Grand Slam champions.
His reputation at youth level even warranted him the opportunity to have a hitting session with eight-time Wimbledon champion, Roger Federer.
The moment arose when he was playing a junior event at Wimbledon, when 'King Roger' asked 'are there any hitters?'
Fearnley went on to reveal that 'My name got put forward. That was really cool. I mean, he’s a super nice guy. Obviously a really, really special player. I learned a lot of things from those brief practice sessions. I was really grateful to have that opportunity.'
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