Tennis community comes together to continue long-running amateur tournament – NBC Connecticut

The Filipek Tennis Tournament is getting ready for the 18th^th year.

Wint Filipek started the tournament in 2005 to raise money for charity in honor of his late father. Three years ago, when the event returned from a one-year hiatus following the pandemic, Wint decided to make the Connecticut chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association the new beneficiary after his wife, Margaret, was diagnosed with the disease.

This year he didn’t have time to continue organizing the event because he had to be there with Margaret. That’s when a couple of long-term participants stepped forward and offered to take over so the tournament could continue.

“We deal with people as health care providers, I’ve dealt with dementia with my own grandmother,” said Daksh Rampal of West Hartford, who works as a health care provider. “It’s not easy for the family or anyone involved. It’s a difficult situation, so we’re just being part of the community and helping to raise funds for something that I think is a very good cause.”

“I mean, just like any other disease, if there’s anything I can do to help somebody, I think that’s important,” said Saurabh Kumar of Avon, who is helping organize this year’s event with Rampal.

“I’m so glad they’ve worked hard, I had a small contribution this year, but I want to thank them for the hard work and the wonderful job they did to keep this tradition alive in my father’s name,” said. Wint Filipek.

The tournament is part of the Longest Day fundraiser, where people around the world fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s by taking part in a fundraiser of their choice during the summer solstice.

The Filipek Tennis Tournament has raised more than $50,000 for the Connecticut Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association over the past three years. This year’s tournament lasts until June 25.