La Quinta, CA
March Madness is much more than NCAA basketball when you live in the Coachella Valley. In the desert, March begins with the Desert Smash Celebrity vs. Pro Tennis Tournament, this year held Monday and Tuesday, March 4-5 at the beautiful La Quinta Resort & Club, just outside of Palm Springs. With the popularity of pickleball, it was only natural to include pickleball in this year’s “20th” Annual Desert Smash.
This year’s event is hosted by and benefiting the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP). The convergence of professional tennis players and celebrities together playing in a charity pickleball tournament generates a lot of excitement, electricity, and attention.
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the world. It’s a fun and accessible sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, so seeing athletes and celebrities from different backgrounds compete is always very enjoyable.
Notable professionals participating on day 1 include Sam Querrey, JJ Wolf, Jill Braverman, David Dobrik, Roscoe Bellamy, and Wes Burrows. Celebrities include Colton Underwood, Amaury Nolasco, Jason Collins, Kirk Fox, Nicky Gathrite, and Sam Ashgari. For the second day – the tennis tournament – in addition to those participating in the pickleball, celebrities include Charlize Theron, DJ Mustard, Yvonne Orji, Reggie Bush, Gavin Rossdale, Laysla De Oliveira, Jonathan Keltz, and Pete Wentz.
(Pictured Sam Ashgari)
Professional tennis players in attendance include Casper Ruud, Donna Vekic, Victoria Azarenka, Frances Tiafoe, Alycia Parks, Disan Lajovic, Matthew Ebder, Julian Rojer, Elena Rybakina, and Hubi Hurkacz and Pickleball pro Roscoe Bellamy. More about the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Program: The CTAOP invests in and advances the health of young people in Southern Africa to create a more equitable future for all.
(Pictured Pickleball Pro Roscoe Bellamy)
Why is this important? It is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it promotes overall well-being and reduces the burden of preventable diseases, improving quality of life. Secondly, healthy young people are better positioned to pursue education and employment opportunities, contributing to economic growth and stability in the region. Additionally, addressing health disparities among young people fosters social equity and promotes a more just society. By investing in their health, we lay the foundation for a brighter and more equitable future for all individuals in Southern Africa.
Theron’s foundation partners with corporate as well as local community organizations essential for the success of the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. Partnerships provide financial resources, expertise, and access to networks that can amplify the impact of the charity’s initiatives. This support helps scale up programs and reach more young people in need. Also, collaborating with local community organizations ensures that initiatives are culturally sensitive, relevant, and rooted in the communities they serve, fostering community ownership and sustainability of projects in the long term. By leveraging the strengths of both corporate and local partners, the charity more effectively addresses health challenges and works toward creating a more equitable future for all individuals in Southern Africa.