Game, Set, Support: Hundreds rally against and raise awareness about domestic violence at tennis tournament

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The 3rd Annual “Raising a Racquet against Domestic Violence” Tennis tournament started Friday evening.

Maryann Breault was killed in an act of domestic violence in December of 2021 at Holly Tree Racquet and Swim Club.

The tournament has been held at the club every year, with a bench honoring Breault located there as well.

Breault’s daughter, Rachel Knowles, helped start the tournament to honor her mother and to support other victims of domestic violence.

Knowles said more than 200 people will take part in the two-day event, which shows that support is always out there for people who need it.

“It means the world to me personally,” Knowles said. “And it’s just such a great sign of everything that we can accomplish when we work together to hold abusers accountable for their behavior and also to rally behind victims. So to be able to show up in the force that we have as a community, I think, sends such a strong signal as to the power of this event.” 

All proceeds from the tournament will go to the Wilmington Domestic Violence Shelter and Services, with Knowles hoping to raise more than $20,000 this year.