Tennis Simon Cup

In 1966 inspired by the large and growing tennis community, Harold Demoody, organized a tournament for Reston residents. Demoody named the tournament The Simon Cup and donated a trophy for the event.

On Sunday, October 9, the Simon Cup trophy will be presented to either Ken Sharp or Glenn Jaggard, the finalists in the Men’s Singles Tennis Tournament.  

Last years’ champion was Phillip Nelson, a high school senior. Not only did Nelson win the men’s singles, but he also won the men’s doubles with David Gunter and the mixed doubles with Jessica Keener.

The culmination of the tournament, the men’s singles, is filmed by ComCast. Jim Elder and Rich Diehl are the commentators 

            During the early years of the Simon Cup there were many names repeated over and over on the trophy: Hayes McCarty, Phil Lilienthal, Ross Lomax, James (Skip) Spensley, and Linda Rutledge (a rare female winner) to name a few.

In 2001 the youngest winner ever, a 14 year old, Michael Shabaz, won the cup. Shabaz is the number one player this season for the University of Virginia. Other South Lakes High School tennis stars that competed and won against older rivals were, Ketsana Vongsavat, John Sullivan, and Andy Vu. Vongesvat later taught for the Reston Association; Sullivan went on to win a tennis scholarship to the Naval Academy; and Vu to win the Virginia State championship in 1998 and the VA AAA high school singles..

Old timers remember that perhaps the most dramatic match between the young and more seasoned opponents was the one won by Alan Graves against El Motaz Sonbol of Egyptian Davis Cup fame. Graves is now a tennis coach in Great Falls and the Fairfax Racquet Club and Sonbol is now living in Egypt and is the Secretary General of the Egyptian Olympic Committee.

The Simon Cup is a permanent emblem of Reston tennis past and present glory. October 9, Sunday, the cup passes to a new champion. Be there.

Lake Newport Courts.