Think you can beat a professional tennis player? Well, here are a few chances for you to try! Los Angeles offers multiple opportunities for you to put your tennis game to the test. Los Angeles has Pro Am and charity events to go to watch and even try to participate in. Polish up your tennis skills and challenge your favorite tennis pro or even your favorite celebrity to a game of tennis at some of these Los Angeles tennis charity events!
Desert Smash
La Quinta, CA
Funnyman Will Ferrell hosted the 11th annual Desert Smash tournament this March at the La Quinta Resort & Club. This past year, the event benefited Cancer for College, a non-profit organization that provides college scholarships for cancer survivors. The event starts with a Pro Am, allowing any John Doe to challenge a tennis pro or celeb to a match. The afternoon is then full of exhibition matches that pit your favorite celebrities against your favorite pros. Tennis superstars Novak Djokovic and the Bryan brothers, world #1s in singles and doubles, accepted Ferrell’s tennis challenge this past year. The competition is definitely something you won’t want to miss…with more trash talk and witty banter crossing the net than tennis balls. Make sure to get your tickets for next year!
McEnroe Challenge for Charity
Indian Wells, CA
Former and current American players kick off the BNP PAribas Open in Indian Wells with the McEnroe Challenge for Charity. This past year, the event was played in a team format with captains John McEnroe and Andy Roddick fielding two star-studded teams. Each player and doubles team represented a charity and competed to donate the most money to their charity of choice. This free event drew many legends and rising stars to the court, with names such as Lindsay Davenport, Madison Keys, Rick Leach, James Blake, Tracy Austin, and Coco Vandeweghe. Davenport’s son Jagger Leach even got to play a celebrity point for his uncle Rock Leach against Keys and his mother. While this event doesn’t offer any amateur events, this BNP Paribas Open charity challenge is a fun way to watch some great tennis while also raising money for some great charities!
