About the Wayton Open
The Wayton Open is the creation of Matthew Wayton. Mr. Wayton organized a one day tennis tournament as a way to bring together friends for a few games of tennis. As interest in the tournament grew, the annual event expanded into a multiple-day tournament and became a popular summertime activity for many local residents. 2012 saw 166 participants between all divisions, the largest field to date.
Held annually in early summer, the tournament currently consists of men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles, and mixed doubles divisions. The tournament is played at Southington High School. A entry fee of $15 for singles and $30 for doubles is cycled back into the tournament and community through The Wayton Open Scholarship. The tournament is open to the public. The minimum age requirement for the tournament is 12 years old with no maximum age limit. All skill levels are encouraged to participate with the exception of scholarship collegiate athletes, all divisions, past, present, or future. In the future the tournament hopes to keep adding divisions to accommodate even more players.
The tournament relies on donations from local businesses to provide refreshments, food, equipment, and advertising for the event.
Mission
Our mission is to provide a competitive yet recreational tennis tournament that promotes healthy living, wellness and exercise, encourages community spirit, and fosters a lifelong passion for tennis.
Organizers
Matt Wayton
Matthew is currently a Adolescent Development Specialist for NAFI CT, in Waterbury, CT. He is also currently pursing a M.S. in Recreational Management from Southern Connecticut State University. Matthew holds a B.A. from UNC Charlotte in Communications Studies concentrating on Public Relations. During his time at Southington High School Matt developed a passion for tennis. In 2007 Matt founded The Wayton Open tennis tournament as a way to re-connect with classmates while playing some tennis in a fun, yet competitive manner. Matt hopes to grow The Wayton Open into one of the biggest tennis events in Central Connecticut. In addition to organizing and running the tournament every summer Matt also is a participant. His best result was a Semi-Final appearance in 2007.
Joanna Rabiej
Joanna is currently a 2L at UCONN Law School. Joanna holds a B.A. in History from Elon University. She and Matt were married in an August 2012 wedding at Old Sturbridge Village. Her interests include: reading historical fiction, visiting museums, and women's issues.
Christopher Zissis
Chris is a web developer at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale Florida. He graduated from the University of Connecticut with an undergradute degree in Business Management. He enjoys video games, movies, and technology.
Gianna Gurga
Gianna is currently a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher at Reed Elementary School and Duggan Elementary School, both in Waterbury, CT. Gianna holds a B.S. from Saint Joseph College in Family Studies. Gianna has been very involved in tennis since her junior year of high school at Holy Cross High School in Waterbury. She has served as a tennis instructor through the Southington Parks and Rec tennis and most recently as an instructor through the USTA sponsored after school program at Duggan Elementary. She is currently the Assistant Girl's Tennis Coach at Crosby High School in Waterbury. Gianna's best result in the Wayton Open was in 2012 with a semi-final appearance in Women's Singles and won the first Women's Doubles championship with her partner Stacey Brown.
Matt Downes
Matt is currently studying computer science at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He has been involved in tennis since his sophomore year of high school at Southington High School. Matt’s best result in the Wayton Open was in 2011 and 2012 with quarter final appearances.
Karen Falk
Karen is currently a senior at Southington High School. Next year she will be attending Johnson & Wales University and majoring in Advertising & Marketing Communications. Karen is employed at The Men’s Wearhouse, and in her free time enjoys snowboarding and playing softball.