His stunning victory against the ‘bad boy’ of tennis Nick Kyrgios at the Australian Open has boosted his public profile no end.
No wonder then that Scots tennis fans are pinning their hopes on rising star Jacob Fearnley becoming the next Andy Murray.
And it isn’t just Monday’s win over Kyrgios that has raised hopes about his prospects.
Fearnley was ranked No 646 in the world in January 2024 before making a meteoric rise to a career-high of 86 this month.
With him every step up of the way has been long-term girlfriend Keagan Polk.
The couple have been together for three years after they met at Texas Christian
University – where she is a beach volleyball player. The Dallas-born athlete is often seen cheering Fearnley on from the stands and was in his box at Wimbledon last year. A year ago, she celebrated their anniversary when she shared a photo of them with the caption ‘Two years down’, alongside a loveheart emoji.
However, some will be perplexed about Fearnley’s Scottish credentials when they hear him speak, given he appears to have acquired an American accent during his time at university in the US.
Jacob Fearnley was ranked No 646 in the world in January 2024 before making a meteoric rise to a career-high of 86 this month
British star Jacob Fearnley (left) sent Nick Kygrios (right) at the Australian Open
Fearnley has credited his late grandparents for his career after they encouraged him to take up the sport at a young age
Love match: Beach volleyball player Keagan Polk, who met Jacob Fearnley at university
When asked by US tennis legend John McEnroe where his Scottish accent had gone, Dalkeith-born Fearnley joked: ‘It’s nowhere to be seen. It’s coming back the longer I’m outside the States.’
The victory over Krygios is the latest high in an incredible eight months for the 23-year-old that has seen him enter the world’s top 100, take a set off Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon and win a first Challenger Tour title.
Fearnley has credited his late grandparents for his career after they encouraged him to take up the sport at a young age.
The Scot refused the temptation to turn professional when he left school and his time at college in Texas has been spent studying for a degree in kinesiology, as well as improving his tennis game.
In October, he told the BBC: ‘I was always a bit physically underdeveloped and school was a big thing – my parents wanted me to have something to fall back on if tennis didn’t work. I also didn’t feel mentally ready to play tennis.
‘I wanted five years to develop my game, develop as a person, socialise and meet new people.’
Fearnley will face Arthur Cazaux of France in the second round of the Australian Open today
Scots tennis fans are pinning their hopes on rising star Jacob Fearnley becoming the next Andy Murray (pictured at Australian Open on January 13)
Kyrgios, the home favourite and 2022 Wimbledon finalist, was hampered by an abdominal strain as Fearnley won 7-6 (7-3), 6-3, 7-6 (7-2) in Melbourne on Monday.
After his win, Fearnley told McEnroe: ‘I was extremely nervous before the match and didn’t get too much sleep.
‘I knew it was going to be a rowdy match. I’ve had a few heckles thrown my way in college tennis but this was something I’d never experienced before.
‘I’m sorry for Nick. I knew he was dealing with some stuff but he played some unbelievable tennis and it was a great match.
‘I just tried to focus on myself as best as I could. All things considered it’s probably the best match I’ve ever played.’
Fearnley will face Arthur Cazaux of France in the second round today.
