Ace! Tennis tournament honors, raises funds for veterans

MARION — Marion’s own Wimbledon complete with all-white outfits and lots of tennis took place at the Sippican Tennis Club from June 27 to June 29. 

The club hosted its annual charity tournament for veterans this year named the Heroes Cup. 

Director of Tennis Ed Shanaphy has been organizing the tournament for 6 years. He was inspired by a similar tournament he attended in Florida and thought he should bring a charity tournament to Marion. 

Shanaphy said he chose to focus on veterans since it is a “non-political” subject many people can support. All funds raised from the tournament will go to Heroes in Transition, a charity that helps families and veterans transition out of military service.  

The tournament lasted for three days and was open to all tennis players of any gender or age and included non-members. Players ranged from 7-years-old to over 60-years-old. 

The director said having the tournament open to non-members builds a larger community and brings in new members to the club. 

“I think it's important that they open their doors to community at least a couple times a year and give back,” Shanaphy said. 

Caden-Chady Nassar is a 15-year-old from New York but comes to Marion every summer for tennis. This was his fourth time playing in the tournament. 

He keeps coming back because of the community aspect and seeing all his friends again.  

“I just enjoy the environment,” Nassar said. “I enjoy coming to see everyone again because they all know me, I know all of them so it's fun having friends around.” 

Nassar said he enjoys playing people of all ages and levels even adding that he got to play his coach during the tournament. The tournament tends to be more laid back and fun than competitive. 

He said he feels tennis is a fun and relaxed way to bring communities together. 

“I feel that keeping this tournament going, especially in such a small town is important because it helps bring everyone together, even though there aren't that many large events like this,” Nassar said. 

Andrea Daskalakis, her husband Emmanuel Daskalakis and grandson Manu Gottschick Daskalakis are all members of the club. 

Andrea Daskalakis said she and her husband got into tennis when they moved to Florida for the winters, coming back to Marion every summer. They picked up tennis since they had time as retirees and wanted to stay active.

“I play and I feel like I'm eighteen on the court,” Emmanuel Daskalakis said. 

Not only does it keep the couple and grandson healthy, but they have built a community too. 

“[Tennis] helps build friendships,” Andrea Daskalakis said. “You have fun, you have exercise and you look forward to the next time you can come out and play tennis again.” 

All three were happy the club is accommodating to all skill levels helping them improve. 

“We're all different levels,” Manu Gottschick Daskalakis said. “Everybody's nice to each other, everybody's helping each other out so that's how we all improve.”