Where the Stars Shine Brightest

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Desert Smash is the plutonium shot that says, ‘Hey, let’s take something that was already there—and let’s really show it to the world,” says Tennis Channel President Ken Solomon.

That “something” is the heady mix of Hollywood and tennis cultures that Solomon grew up surrounded by when he was a young player and fan in Southern California. It’s a mix that he believes has, unfortunately, remained largely invisible to fans and TV viewers in recent years. It’s something that he wants to change.

“You saw Will Ferrell in Australia, and Will Smith, too,” Solomon says of the two movie stars who attended this year’s Australian Open. “This happens a lot, but it’s been limited because tournaments have been the drivers to celebrities sitting in the stands and occasionally doing a shot and saying, ‘And there’s Justin Timberlake.’ Everyone waves and the crowd cheers, when there’s so much more to it—when tennis really is part of their lives.”

What has been missing, according to Solomon, is a nexus, a central location where tennis and Hollywood can mingle properly, and where celebrities can show their love of the sport. On March 6, he’s hoping to provide that nexus a few miles from Indian Wells, at La Quinta Resort & Club, with Desert Smash.

Desert Smash, which mixes entertainment and friendly competition and raises money for multiple charities, has played host to Jon Hamm, Justin Bieber, Kevin Hart, Redfoo of LMFAO, Marcia Gay Harden, Randy Jackson, Jason Collins and other tennis-loving celebs over the years. In the event’s pro-ams, they’ve faced off against American players like John Isner and Sam Querrey.

That tradition will continue this year, with Chrissy Metz and Chris Sullivan from the hit show