The renowned tennis photographer Arthur ‘Art’ Seitz died on August 23 at the age of 82, just shy for a coming birthday on October 7, due to heart and kidney failure after fighting a variety of health ailments in recent years.
Art was the most dedicated and passionate photographer in the tennis world. His love for recording special, iconic moments became unparalleled. He was a great ally of the tennis of women who was a familiar presence for so many years, and I was proud to call him a friend. Chris Evert
Seitz wrote tennis sport for more than 50 years, from the start of the open era to this day, and photographed the US Open for the first time in 1968.
He served as a captain at the US Air Force, but succeeded in getting an assignment from a local newspaper to shoot the event at Forest Hills, the year that the tournament officially became ‘the open’.
He became one of the most famous tennis photographers in the company, and his work adorned the covers of Time and Newsweek, while many of his iconic images, such as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ press conference between Billie Jean King and Bobbie Riggs, won the greatest moments in tennis.
His artistry has documented the evolution of the sport for more than half a century and his photos include all Grand Slams and all major players.
“There are many legends in the history of tennis, and I certainly don’t see anyone from the current generation who can match the personalities of a vitas gerulaitis or an Ilie Nastase or Jimmy Connors,” Seitz would say. “I get a lot of pleasure from the comrade, the characters.”
As far as his photographic style is concerned, he said, “I am intuitive, I notice things in people. The quality of light, the patterns of things.”
A familiar view of tournaments around the world, Seitz was a persistent documentary of the tennis family whose activities remain a source for publishers, news producers and filmmakers.
Early in his career, Seitz was the first staff photographer for Gladman’s Young World Tennis Magazine, the first Virginia Slims Circuit photographer, a loyal contribution to the tennis week and the official shooter for World Team Tennis.
In the years that followed, his work was in countless newspaper articles, autobiographies for players and memorial editions.
It adorned the screens of HBO and ESPN and many magazine covers, including time, people, Vogue, Vanity Fair, Sports Illustrated, Life and Paris Match.
Art Seitz was a strong supporter of men’s knowledge and the WTA
Wtatennis.com
“One of the most remarkable qualities of the art was his ability to transcend standard sports photography and make contact with players in their own environment, outside the courts and changing rooms,” said Adam Stoltman, former director photography editor at Sports Illustrated and New York Times Picture Editor.
“Many of his most cherished photos were taken in spontaneous, unwritten and unguided moments, which gave his images an intimacy and fame in the world of professional sports.”
While he focused on the stars of the sport, Seitz also trained his lens about supporting personalities behind the scenes, from journalists to photo board colleagues, tour staff to player managers.
“Art had a relationship with all, and a love for the tennis community, which is reflected in his images,” Stoltman added.
Away from tennis has Seitz covered more than 20 super bowls, together with several Kentucky Derby and Masters. He also photographed former President Jimmy Carter in his house in Georgia.
Tennis, however, was his lifelong passion. He played at the Florida Junior Circuit, at the University of Florida, and served as a captain at the Air Force of the United States based in Germany and France.
He also enjoyed playing at home in Fort Lauderdale, adjacent to the Holiday Park courts where the legendary coach Jimmy Evert taught his children to play the sport.
“Art was the most dedicated and passionate photographer in the tennis world,” said former WTA president Chris Evert. “His love for capturing special, iconic moments remained unparalleled. He was a great sampling of ladies’ knowledge who had been a familiar presence for so many years, and I was proud to call him a friend.”
In his last years, while in poor health, Seitz held a steady stream of images that flowed to his tennis colleagues and friends as his way of maintaining the connection.
Seitz is survived by his sister, Pauline ‘Polly’, and his brother, Russell.
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