Serena Williams' is set for a smashing desert return.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion will host and play in the 14th annual Desert Smash Pro/Celebrity Tennis Exhibition set for Tuesday, March 6th at the La Quinta Resort & Club in La Quinta, California.
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The Desert Smash will benefit The Yetunde Price Resource Center (YPRC).
The YPRC, founded by Serena and Venus in honor of their eldest sister who was shot and killed in 2003 not far from the Compton, California courts where the Williams sisters learned to play. Based in Compton and committed to helping others heal, The YPRC assists, educates and strengthens individuals and families affected by violence and trauma. The YPRC works collaboratively with the other Southern Los Angeles based partner organizations to offer a variety of free programs in safe, healing-centered environments.
This year’s annual charity live-ball play will also be hosted by actor Boris Kodjoe and benefit Sophie’s Voice Foundation.
Tennis Channel will provide Desert Smash with live national television exposure for the first time in the exhibition’s history. Live television segments along with digital and social media activity throughout the day – as part of the network’s coverage of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells – will feature event updates with celebrity and player interviews.
Past pro tennis participants include former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, John Isner, Stan Wawrinka, Mike and Bob Bryan, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka and Genie Bouchard.
Each year, this sell-out event attracts both celebrity and tennis fans for a once in a lifetime opportunity to play and rub elbows with the world’s best tennis players. Past celebrity hosts and attendees include Will Ferrell, Jon Hamm, Kevin Hart, Rebel Wilson, Joel McHale, Michael B. Jordan, Justin Chambers, Timothy Olyphant, Lance Bass and Kodjoe.
Following an day of tennis and fundraising, La Quinta Resort & Club will host an evening cocktail party and live entertainment with a set by world famous DJ Bob Sinclar and other to be announced surprise celebrity entertainers.
For more event information, please visit www.desertsmash.com.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve