British tennis rising star Jacob Fearnley is looking to regain his confidence following a challenging start to the 2026 season. The British number three faced a tough first-round defeat at the Australian Open, leaving him at risk of dropping outside the top 100 in the ATP rankings and facing additional challenges for direct entry into Grand Slam tournaments.

Fearnley’s Rapid Rise and Recent Struggles

Just last year, Fearnley experienced a meteoric rise in professional tennis. In June 2025, the 24-year-old Scot broke into the top 50, a remarkable achievement considering he was ranked 525th just a year earlier. However, since that breakthrough, the momentum has slowed, and he has only secured seven tour-level match wins since July 2025.

Despite his loss in Melbourne to Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak—7-6 (7-2), 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3)—Fearnley demonstrated flashes of the talent that propelled him into the ATP top 50. The four-set match showed that he can compete at a high level, but consistency remains a challenge.

Confidence: The Key Factor

In post-match interviews, Fearnley frequently highlighted confidence as the main factor behind his recent struggles.

“I need to be a little more confident, back myself a little more,” Fearnley said. “Over the past six or seven months I’ve been playing pretty sub-par from what I can play. I need a good run somewhere to give a bit more confidence.”

The former American college tennis player, who transitioned to the professional tour less than two years ago, emphasized that tennis is a sport of fluctuations.

“Tennis is a sport where you lose one week and the next week can be great. That’s what I’m banking on,” he explained.

Fearnley also noted he is not overly worried about his ranking, instead focusing on match play as the path to regaining form.

Looking Ahead: Challenger Tour and Recovery

Provided his ankle injury from the Australian Open heals as expected, Fearnley plans to compete next week in Bahrain on the ATP Challenger Tour. He is prepared to step down temporarily from the main tour to regain confidence and match sharpness.

“If I have to drop down and enter a few more Challengers then I’ll happily do that. I’m going to keep throwing myself out there and keep believing I can win matches,” Fearnley said.

Expert Opinion: Davis Cup Captain’s Perspective

Leon Smith, Great Britain’s Davis Cup captain, spoke positively about Fearnley’s potential despite his recent struggles.

“He had such a rapid rise, and before that he played so many matches during his college time, so you’re used to that flow of match after match. He went on a crazy run and got himself out of the Futures tour into the Challengers tour and the main tour so quickly,” Smith said.

Smith emphasized that Fearnley’s shift from winning multiple matches consistently to experiencing more losses is normal for a player adjusting to the highest level.

“There’s a good chance he drops out of the top 100, but I’ve got no concerns. I think he’s that good, he’s got the skillset and I’ve seen him beat really high-level players. He’ll get there; he just needs to now play matches,” Smith added.

Conclusion: Building Momentum in 2026

Jacob Fearnley’s early exit from the Australian Open is a setback, but it may also serve as motivation to rebuild confidence and consistency on the tour. With a Challenger tournament in Bahrain on the horizon and the determination to regain form, Fearnley remains a promising British tennis player to watch in 2026. His journey illustrates the ups and downs of professional tennis, where perseverance and mental resilience are just as crucial as technical skill.