Smash the desert at La Quinta resort. Jill Weinlein photo
During the opening of the tournament 2024 BNP Paribas expansion in Indian Wells, award-winning actress, producer and philanthropist Charlize Theron was at La Quinta Resort to host this year’s event Desert Smash charity celebrity tennis event.
Born in South Africa, Charlize Theron serves as a United Nations Messenger of Peace and is the founder of the organization. Charlize Theron’s Africa Outreach Project. This non-profit organization is dedicated to investing in the health and safety of young people living in South Africa to create a more equitable future for all.
Smash the desert with Charlize Theron. Jill Weinlein photo
Theron is a tennis fan and social athlete, and told the crowd what she also said on the nonprofit’s website, ‘Youth have always been the driving force of change. social change. And this generation holds unique promise.”
This year’s event for a good cause features an exciting lineup of live and silent auction items that tennis fans bid on between entertaining matches.
Priceless items that go to the highest bidder include:
Experience a U.S. Open player’s day at the 2024 U.S. Open with quarterfinal courtside seats and a behind-the-scenes player locker room tour of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Laver Cup Berlin 2024 at Mercedes Benz with two full tournament hospitality packages with seating for all five sessions over three days.
Premium seating at the 2024 BNP Paribas Open Finals and a two-day experience at the Madrid Open for two with round-trip tickets on Delta Airlines and three nights at The Edition Hotel in Madrid.
Surprise guest at Desert Smash Novak Djokovic. Jill Weinlein photo
For 20 years, Desert Smash has brought Hollywood royalty and elite professional tennis players together for charity. As this year’s host, Theron has the opportunity to compete a bit with the number 1 ranked player in the men’s tennis world Novak Djokovic.
Another highlight of the day was watching Theron and Frances Tiafoe Jr. doubles competition. Both were charismatic on the field, entertaining guests with their comments overheard through their microphones.
Charlize Theron and Frances Tiafoe. Jill Weinlein photo
Frances Tiafoe Jr., nicknamed ‘The Great Enemy’ is ranked at number 10 in 2023. He is one of the most popular American professional tennis players with his bright smile and personality.
Tiafoe won his first three ATP titles at the 2018 Delray Beach Open, becoming the youngest American to win a tournament on the ATP Tour since Andy Roddick in 2002.
His Sierra Leonean parents migrated to College Park, Maryland, where his father was a maintenance worker working at the USTA regional training center. Living at the tennis center, Frances took advantage of the tennis courts and picked up a tennis racket from the age of 4 along with her twin brother. They practiced tennis every day, and soon Frances advanced to the Junior level, and then transferred to the USTA National Training Center in Boca Raton.
Tunisian tennis player Ons Jabeur. Jill Weinlein photo
Tennis fans were happy to see the lovely Ons Jabeur. Her highest WTA career ranking of No. 2 was achieved in June 2022. She is currently ranked No. 6, and is the No. 1 Tunisian player and the highest-ranked African and Arab player highest in WTA and ATP history.
Ons and tennis pro Frances Tiafoe hugged as they walked down the mat at the beginning of the Desert Smash. They chatted and smiled while the paparazzi took pictures.
Norwegian tennis player Casper Rudd. Jill Weinlein photo
Casper Rudd stepped out onto the court to play exhibition doubles. Rudd is ranked 9th in the ATP men’s tennis rankings and is the highest-ranked Norwegian player in history and the first Norwegian player to win an ATP singles title. He has won 10 ATP Tour singles titles and finished runner-up in 3 Grand Slam tournaments at the 2022 ATP Finals.
Dobel Tequila Ace Paloma
Maestro Dobel Tequila is the official tequila of the BNP Paribas expands at Indian Wells and at Desert Smash. With hotel suites at Desert Smash and an outdoor pavilion at BNP Paribas Open, the brand offers a range of refreshing signature cocktails.
The Maestro Dobel Tequila menu at the Desert Smash event features two signature cocktails – Ace Paloma And Spicy Margarita. Fritzy is named after American professional tennis player and Dobel Tequila Brand Ambassador – Taylor Fritz.
Those who want to make Ace Paloma served on ice at home can follow this recipe:
ACE PALOMA
2 oz Maestro Dobel Tequila Diamante Cristalino
4 oz Grapefruit Soda
0.50 oz fresh lemon juice
Fresh black lava salt around the rim
Season with grapefruit
Dobel Tequila Margarita with Guacamole and Chips. Jill Weinlein photo
The Dobel Tequila lounge near the main tennis court at La Quinta Resort offers ticket holders traditional margaritas and plenty of guacamole and chips.
For those who want to spice things up, here it is Fritzy Spicy Recipe:
2 oz Maestro Dobel Tequila Diamante Cristalino
1 oz Lemon juice
2 slices fresh Jalapeno peppers
Garnish with black lava salt, a slice of lime and a slice of fresh jalapeno
Serve over rocks.
