Tom Marshall
Artem Sitak is farewelled at the ASB Tennis Arena after the final match of his career.
Artem Sitak’s tennis career may have ended with a loss at the ASB Classic on Tuesday night, but he got the farewell he hoped for.
Sitak and Rubin Statham lost 7-5 3-6 10-8 to Romain Arneodo and Sam Weissborn in front of a packed out Centre Court and after the match Sitak walked off to a standing ovation.
At the age of 37, Sitak has decided to retire, and he’ll soon start the next chapter of his life, coaching at a tennis academy in Newquay, England.
Statham, who has played so many Davis Cup ties for New Zealand alongside Sitak, said it was a privilege to team up with him for his final tournament.
“It was a complete honour to have the opportunity to play with Artem at our favourite tournament, for his last tournament,” Statham said.
Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
New Zealand doubles players Artem Sitak and Rubin Statham came close to winning their match at the ASB Classic on Tuesday night but went down by the dreaded scoreline of 10-8 in the super tiebreak.
“To play with one of my best friends in his final match, final tournament, was a total honour and I thank him for that opportunity.
“It was a really special moment and I said to myself, I’m never going to try harder in a tennis match than this match right here.
“We really did our best and it was amazing being out there with Artem for every point.
“We had some amazing moments over the years and obviously Artem has had an amazing career and something he can really be proud of.
“More so than that, he’s an amazing human and one of the best guys on Tour. He’s loved by everyone and that’s almost more important in my eyes.
“You have guys you play on Tour with for many years and after tennis the friendship might not continue.
“But for some guys you know it will last a lifetime beyond tennis and that’s how I feel about Artem.
“It’s special to have that moment and I really wish I could have got that win for us tonight. But it was very special.”
It had been a tough 2023 for Sitak on the doubles circuit and towards the end of it, he felt the time was right for him to retire as a professional.
He was given a wildcard for the Classic, so that he’d get an opportunity to bow out at his favourite tournament.
“That was my dream to how I end my career,” Sitak said.
“On the Centre Court at the ASB Classic, with a full stadium in a night match.
“I got that, I wish I got the win, obviously. But that’s what I wanted and it was a classic doubles match with a 10-8 loss. Absolutely brutal and heartbreaking, but at the same time the atmosphere was amazing and we loved every second out there.”
It perhaps hadn’t sunk in for Sitak that this was the end of the journey for him when he spoke to Stuff straight after the match, and there was still a bit of disappointment in him that they had this close loss.
“I’m very sad we lost this one, because it was so close, so many unbelievable points,” he said.
“We were up the whole super tiebreak until the end and just couldn’t convert it.
“I loved the fact that I played with Rubin in my last match. We’ve been through so much together for so long.”
