Rubin Statham (born 25 April 1987) is a former professional tennis player from New Zealand. He reached an ATP career-high ranking of world No. 279 in singles on 25 February 2013, and No. 139 in doubles on 17 June 2013.
Formerly known as José Rubin Statham, he was often referred to by his nickname of "José".
His twin brother Mikal (usually referred to by his nickname of "Oliver") is also a professional tennis player.
In June 2005, Statham's second year on the professional tour, he made his first final at the Japan F8 tournament. He lost in the final to Go Soeda of Japan 4âÂÂ6, 3âÂÂ6. In November 2008, Kyu Tae Im of Korea defeated him 6âÂÂ7<sup>(3)</sup>, 1âÂÂ6 in the final of the Malaysia F2 event. This was the second time he had made a final in over three years. In May 2009 Statham won his first tournament, at Australia F3, defeating Australian Greg Jones 4âÂÂ6, 6âÂÂ4, 6âÂÂ1 in the final. In his next tournament, Australia F4, he lost in the final to Jones 5âÂÂ7, 6âÂÂ7<sup>(6)</sup>. He won his next tournament in Egypt F7 by defeating Jean-Noel Insausti of France in the final 7âÂÂ5, 6âÂÂ2. He made it four finals in a row in his next tournament at Egypt F8, losing to Karim Maamoun of Egypt in the final 2âÂÂ6, 2âÂÂ6.
In October 2009 Statham won another Futures title at Thailand F4. He defeated Roman Jebavý of the Czech Republic 6âÂÂ3, 2âÂÂ6, 7âÂÂ5 in the final, having also won the doubles title the day before. He also won the Vietnam F1 title in the same month, defeating Amir Weintraub of Israel 6âÂÂ7<sup>(4)</sup>, 7âÂÂ6<sup>(4)</sup>, 6âÂÂ1 in the final, and again made it a special event by winning the doubles as well. He was do it again in Korea in May 2013. In October 2010, Statham was the only New Zealand representative in the Men's Singles at the 2010 Commonwealth Games and was the sixth seed. He lost in the quarterfinals to top-seeded and eventual champion Somdev Devvarman of India 3âÂÂ6, 4âÂÂ6.
In January 2019 Statham played the ASB Classic in Auckland, where he caused a major upset by beating the 6th seed and 25th ranked player in the world at the time, Hyeon Chung in straight sets 7âÂÂ5, 6âÂÂ3.
In March 2020, Statham's win in the World Group I play-off was his first competitive match for more than a year, a serious hip injury having caused him to retire from the first round of a Challenger event in Bangkok in February 2019. Other than purely domestic events, such as the New Zealand Premier League and Te Anau Invitational, it was the only match he played during the year.
At the 2023 Chengdu Open he reached the semifinals with Marcos Giron after the retirement of Marcelo Demoliner and Matwe Middelkoop and the subsequent withdrawal of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson.
He entered the qualifying event in singles at the 2023 Astana Open as an alternate replacing Borna Gojo and reached the second round of qualifying.
Statham announced his retirement on 3 January 2025.
With 33 ties, Statham holds the record number of appearances in the Davis Cup for New Zealand, his debut being in 2005. His 28 singles victories in those 33 ties is also the highest number by a New Zealand player.
In March 2020, Statham won against Brandon Perez in the World Group I play-off against Venezuela.