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CHARLIZE THERON TO HOST DS 2024
We are thrilled to welcome award-winning actress, producer and philanthropist, Charlize Theron as the host of the 20th Annual Desert Smash! This year’s Desert Smash will benefit her eponymous charity, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. (CTAOP) - a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to investing in the health and safety of young people living in Southern Africa to create a more equitable future for all.
HOSTED AT LA QUINTA RESORT & CLUB
The La Quinta Resort & Club is a desert oasis surrounded by mountains and abundance of high-end amenities. Located just 3 miles from the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, La Quinta Resort & Club is the desert’s premiere location for tennis enthusiasts and destination travelers to unwind and enjoy the numerous activities from elevated dining at Morgan’s, luxurious accommodations, golf and spa facilities with cutting-edge relaxation treatments. Come experience Tennis Magazine’s Gold Medal tennis facility!
LEARN MORE AT: LAQUINTARESORT.COM
ABOUT THE EVENT
The Annual Desert Smash is a charity celebrity tennis event where Hollywood and professional tennis collides. For 19 Years, Desert Smash has been the most preeminent and globally recognized celebrity charity tennis event in the world, bringing the biggest names in Hollywood, Music & Pro Tennis together to battle on-court for a good cause.
2023 Desert Smash Sizzle Reel
Desert Smash Tennis Alumni
Casper Ruud
Marta Kostyuk
Frances Tiafoe
Novak Djokovic
Donna Vekic
Victoria Azarenka
Alexander Zverev
Bryan Brothers
Emma Raducanu
Grigor Dimitrov
Richard Gasquet
the Inaugural CELEBRITY PICKLEBALL CHALLENGE
Come join us for an afternoon of fun on our custom Pickleball court presented by our partners at Smirnoff Smash!
Thank you to our sponsors
Joining forces for charity
IN 20 YEARS, DESERT SMASH HAS RAISED OVER $3.6M FOR VARIOUS CHARITIES! This year, we are proud to partner with CHARLIZE THERON AFRICA OUTREACH PROJECT (CTAOP).
CTAOP advances and invests in the health and safety of young people living in Southern Africa to create a more equitable future for all. CTAOP’s approach supports community-based organizations (Program Partners) by providing funding, strengthening capacity, and bringing awareness to their work. This helps ensure the youth they serve are on a path to reaching their full potential and have the knowledge, tools, and skills to keep themselves healthy and safe. In addition, CTAOP’s Youth Leaders Scholarship program provides young leaders in South Africa with full scholarships for their tertiary journey.
CTAOP was created in 2007 by actor and United Nations Messenger of Peace, Charlize Theron, with the hope of making a difference for youth in her home country of South Africa, particularly so they can stay healthy and safe from HIV. Although the geographic scope of CTAOP is sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa has remained the primary area of focus due to the highest number of people living with HIV in the world. To date, CTAOP supported programs have reached over 4 million youth in Southern Africa.
To learn more visit charlizeafricaoutreach.org and follow @CTAOP on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
Sample Schedule of events for 2024
Inaugural Desert Smash Celebrity Pickleball Challenge - Monday March 4, 2024
Location: La Casa Event Space at La Quinta Resort & Club
2:00PM Gates Open to Ticketholders
3:00-5:00PM Celebrity Pickleball Challenge on the Smirnoff Smash Court
20th Annual Desert Smash - Tuesday, March 5, 2024
Location: La Quinta Resort & Club Tennis Stadium
12:30 PM Gates Open to Ticket Holders
1:00 PM Desert Smash Red Carpet
2:00-5PM 20th Annual Desert Smash
DONNA VEKIC (World #6) vs. ONS JABEUR (World #36)
To be followed by:
(DJ) MUSTARD + ELENA RYABKINA (World #4) vs. GAVIN ROSSDALE + HUBI HURKACZ (World #8)
To be followed by:
CHARLIZE THERON/FRANCES TIAFOE (World 18) vs. TBD CELEBRITY/VICTORIA AZARENKA (World #30)
To be followed by final match:
CASPER RUUD (World #9) vs. FRANCES TIAFOE (World #18)
Resort Map
Important Parking Instructions and Shuttle Schedule
Details
Desert Smash
March 4-5th, 2024
Produced by:
Epic Sports and
Brand Innovators
CONTACT
For partnership information or to speak with a press or talent representative, please use the form below.
Review our 2023 Media Impressions to learn more about our medial reach.
For sponsorship information please review our 2023-24 Partnership Deck and contact
Andrew Sokolsky and/or Ryan Macaulay for additional info.