Desert Smash brings together Hollywood and pro tennis to benefit USTA Foundation

Desert Smash, the legendary star-studded charity tennis experience, returned March 2–3, 2026 for its 22nd annual celebration at the world-renowned La Quinta Resort & Club.

After a record-shattering $1.5 million raised in 2025, Desert Smash once again brought together Hollywood stars, tennis champions, and fans for two action-packed days of high-energy play and entertainment. Proceeds will benefit the USTA Foundation, which is dedicated to transforming the lives of young people through the powerful combination of tennis, education and mentorship.

For over two decades now, Desert Smash, known for bringing together Hollywood and pro tennis for charity, has welcomed global icons and superstars including Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Frances Tiafoe, Aryna Sabalenka, Will Ferrell, Kevin Hart, Charlize Theron and P!nk—each lending their star power to bring attention to the cause.

The 2026 event was another star-studded affair, with appearances from WTA stars including four-time major champion and former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka and current Top 10 talents Jasmine Paolini, Elina Svitolina and Victoria Mboko. Top 10 men's stars Alexander Zverev, Lorenzo Musetti, and Alex de Minaur were also on hand, along with last year’s International Tennis Hall of Fame inductees Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, who won an Open Era record 119 doubles titles together.

Lorenzo Musetti and Alex de Minaur pose with guests at Desert Smash 2026. Photo by Presley Ann/Shutterstock.

Some of the best men's and women's pickleball players from the PPA Tour also participated: World No. 1 Ben Johns, Federico Staksrud, Tyson McGuffin, Anna Bright, Brooke Buckner and Tyra Black. Nick Kyrgios, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist, also participated in the pickleball event along with five-time NFL Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis Landry and MLB standout J.D. Martinez, a member of the 2018 World Series champion Boston Red Sox—with Landry thrilling the crowd with an around-the-net-post winner against Martinez.

Other notable celebrities attending included Lily Collins, Jon Lovitz, Cheri Oteri, Yvonne Orji, Gavin Rossdale, Eric McCormack, Lance Bass.

Naomi Osaka and Yvonne Orji at Desert Smash 2026. Photo by Presley Ann/Shutterstock.

“Desert Smash has grown into a globally recognized entertainment experience where sport, culture, and purpose meet,” said Ryan Macaulay, Desert Smash founder. “This March, we’re channelling that energy to benefit the USTA Foundation—and have a great time while doing good.”

The USTA Foundation supports more than 270 community-based organizations nationwide that use tennis as the vehicle to get young people ready for life’s challenges and opportunities on and off the court by creating supportive spaces for them to learn, play and grow. Last year, more than 230,000 young people nationwide were served by these game-changing organizations.

“Desert Smash brings unmatched visibility, giving us a powerful platform to share our story and create lasting impact,” said USTA Foundation CEO Ginny Ehrlich. “This partnership is about providing young people from under-resourced communities the tools they need to write their best life stories–on and off the court.”