WTA pays tribute to Art Seitz, a photographer who captured the soul of the game

The WTA is saddened by the demise of photographer Arthur “Art” Seitz, who died Aug. 23 at 82. Seitz chronicled tennis for greater than half a century, each from the sidelines and behind the scenes.

A well-recognized face at tournaments world wide, Seitz was a tenacious documentarian of the “tennis family” whose physique of labor stays a go-to supply for publishers, information producers and filmmakers.

From a teenage Chris Evert in Florida to Billie Jean King’s win over Bobby Riggs within the Battle of the Sexes, and on via the sport’s Twenty first-century stars, Seitz captured all of it.

Early on in his profession, Seitz was the primary employees photographer for Gladys Heldman’s fledgling World Tennis Magazine, the primary Virginia Slims Circuit photographer, a stalwart contributor to Tennis Week and the official shooter for World Team Tennis.

In the years that adopted, his work featured in numerous newspaper articles, participant autobiographies and commemorative editions. It graced the screens of HBO and ESPN and plenty of journal covers together with  Time, People, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Sports Illustrated, LIFE and Paris Match.

“One of Art’s most remarkable qualities was his ability to transcend standard sports photography norms and connect with players in their own environments, beyond the courts and locker rooms,” mentioned Adam Stoltman, former deputy characteristic pictures editor at Sports Illustrated and New York Times sports activities image editor.

“Many of his most treasured photos were taken in spontaneous, unscripted and unguarded moments, which gave his images an intimacy and familiarity uncommon in the world of professional sports.”

While specializing in the celebrities of the game, Seitz additionally skilled his lens on supporting personalities behind the scenes, from journalists to picture pit colleagues, tour employees to participant managers.

“Art had a relationship with all of them, and a love for the tennis community, which is reflected in his images,” Stoltman mentioned.

In 2013, Seitz’s distinctive contribution was evident when he was the one photographer invited as a visitor to the WTA’s 40 Love celebrations in London. During the 2018 US Open, he was acknowledged by the USTA as the one photographer to cowl all 50 US Opens since 1968.

Away from tennis, Seitz lined greater than 20 Super Bowls, together with a number of Kentucky Derby and Masters. He additionally photographed former President Jimmy Carter at his house in Georgia.

But tennis was his lifelong ardour. He performed on the Florida junior circuit, on the University of Florida, and whereas serving as a captain within the United States Air Force based mostly in Germany and France.

He additionally loved taking part in when at house in Fort Lauderdale, adjoining to the Holiday Park courts the place legendary coach Jimmy Evert taught his kids to play the game. 

Trailblazing WTA government and Hall of Famer Peachy Kellmeyer described Seitz as “the one we looked to, to get that perfect shot.”

She added: “Art was always generous with his time in support of our player reunions and various charitable causes and he invariably shared his precious photos in times of need. He was always there to help remind the tennis family of our shared history.”

In his closing years, although sick, Seitz saved a gradual stream of photographs flowing to his tennis colleagues and mates as a manner of sustaining connection.

“Art’s archive is of importance and value to the history of the sport and all who knew him,” mentioned Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, widow of Arthur Ashe and herself a photographer.

“His keen instincts were always in motion; he was so dedicated to recording that moment that tells a story in a single image. His ability to engage his subject made him known to all.”

Seitz is survived by his sister, Pauline “Polly,” and his brother, Russell.