Jacob Fearnley ready for Poland challenge at Davis Cup as he reflects on breakthrough season
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Jacob Fearnley’s first full season on tour has been nothing short of impressive with the British No.3 now getting set for his second Davis Cup tie against Poland.
Coming out of college, the 24-year-old made a promising start to his professional career with his first ATP Challenger title in Nottingham in 2024 and has never looked back.
Fearnley has now competed in every Grand Slam main draw – recording a win at all four – played multiple ATP Masters 1000 events, won four ATP Challenger titles and made the quarter-finals at the HSBC Championships this summer.
He is one of three British players to feature in the ATP top-50 this year, alongside Jack Draper and Davis Cup teammate Cam Norrie.
Fearnley and Norrie head up a Lexus GB Davis Cup team this week, which also includes the top doubles team in the world, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool, as well as a first call-up for Arthur Fery.
“It’s pretty cool – every Davis Cup you want to pick your best players and strongest team, and I think we’ve done that, other than Jack (Draper) obviously,” Fearnley said.
“Cam has had an amazing year, made the quarter-finals at Wimbledon and has had deep runs in pretty much every Slam. Lloyd and Julian are the No.1 doubles pair in the world and then Arthur who has just won a Challenger. He’s had a few injuries but he’s playing some of his best tennis.
“I’m really enjoying it – it’s a great group of guys, a great team. I’m really grateful to be back with the team. It’s really good – we push each other in practice and that’s what we need.”
I think the way we are going to pull through is by competing, playing our games and supporting each other as a team.
One of the biggest moments from Fearnley’s breakthrough year came back in February when he made his Davis Cup debut in GB’s Qualifier tie in Japan.
Coming in as Britain’s highest ranked player, he beat former world No.4 and US Open finalist Kei Nishikori in his first match, but lost in the second rubber to Yoshihito Nishioka as the Brits bowed out in a 3-2 defeat.
Despite the loss, the experience gained by Fearnley was invaluable and will no doubt set him up for the challenge ahead in Poland.
“I think it was good,” Fearnley said reflecting on his performance in Japan. “Obviously I was very nervous coming into my first tie, but I was super excited. I was glad to get my first win and that gave me a lot of confidence.
“Playing in an away tie and then this tie also being away, it’s definitely given me a lot of confidence and I’m just really excited and grateful to be picked again. To be asked to play again is really special.
“I don’t know too much about their (Poland’s) squad, which can be a challenge in itself. We have a higher ranked team but in Davis Cup I don’t think that means too much, especially in an away tie. I think the way we are going to pull through is by competing, playing our games and supporting each other as a team.”
The Briton’s mounting success over the last year has brought with it a lot of new experiences and opportunities to develop.
Competing on the Arthur Ashe Stadium in front of thousands, with millions more watching at home is something that very little practice or training can prepare you for, but Fearnley feels he’s learning to manage those big occasions the more exposure he gets.
“It's been a bit of a change for me, playing my first year on tour,” he said. “What I’ve learnt the most is just what it’s like being on the tour – travelling and playing the best players in the world is something I’ve always wanted to do but it comes with its challenges.
“I’ve definitely improved as a player and as an individual, getting used to that environment. It’s been a really cool experience for me.
“I’ve played some pretty big matches on big courts. I take a lot from them. I go in pretty nervous, you’re playing on big courts against some of the best players in the world – I played (Alexander) Zverev in two of the Slams this year and he was No.3 in the world.
“You look at my match against him in Australia and the US and I think you see improvements – I played better, I held my own a bit better. The more you have those opportunities, the more relaxed and comfortable you feel and the better you play.”
With so much change this year, playing new tournaments, visiting new places and competing at the highest level of the game, there’s been little chance for Fearnley to stop, take breath and look back on his successes so far.
While it’s good to stay focused on the next challenge ahead and the demands on a professional tennis star, the Briton is conscious of his rapid rise and takes great pride in the work he’s done to get to this point – with more still to come.
“I try and find time to reflect but the schedule is pretty full on,” Fearnley admitted. “When I do go for a walk or have that time to reflect I look back fondly on what I’ve done as a tennis player over the last year. I don’t take that lightly. I am very proud of myself and everyone around me who has helped me. It’s a pretty cool achievement – hopefully I can keep going.
“Davis Cup was a highlight, getting a call-up and a win against (Kei) Nishikori in Japan was pretty huge. Winning my first round at every Slam is a pretty cool achievement, playing (Nick) Kyrgios in Australia, my first top-20 win in Madrid, there’s a lot of moments that I look back fondly on.”
Fearnley and the rest of the Lexus GB Davis Cup team will take on Poland from 12-13 September in the Davis Cup World Group I. The winner will get to compete in the Davis Cup Qualifiers in 2026 for the chance at making the Finals. Watch the action live on Tennis Channel.
