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Charlize Theron is often front row at tennis matches and fashion shows — but on Tuesday, she was on the court playing doubles with No. 1 men’s player Novak Djokovic.
The Oscar winner hosted the 20th annual Desert Smash celebrity tennis tournament to support her charity, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. The organization funds community-based, locally-led groups that work directly with young people in preventing gender-based violence, advocating for sexual reproductive health and rights, and providing access to higher education. For the final match, the Serbian tennis superstar made a surprise appearance, interrupting Theron’s game with ATP champion Frances Tiafoe, comedian Yvonne Orji and two-time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter before the games, Theron shared what she’s bringing to the court. “The tennis usually is amazing because they get people who can play tennis. So today might just be a hot mess, but we’ll make it work!”
Theron certainly made it work — at least on the style front. Outfitted head-to-toe in Vuori (wearing a black long-sleeved shirt and volley skirt paired with Nike’s Court Air Zoom Lite 3 shoes), she played alongside Djokovic, who joked to a roaming Theron, “Where do you want to stand?” before serving. Theron’s reply: “I don’t know what I’m doing!”
The UN Messenger of Peace will be back in the desert for the Indian Wells Open (where Djokovic will also play) after squeezing in an appearance at the Oscars this Sunday. “I’m coming back for hopefully quarter semis and finals with my mom,” she says.
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Held at the La Quinta Resort & Club on March 4 and 5, Desert Smash included its first-ever pickleball challenge on Monday with players such as Sam Asghari, Colton Underwood, Maroon 5’s James Valentine and more. Tuesday’s superstar players included tennis stars Casper Ruud, Donna Vekic, Ons Jabeur, Elena Rybakina, Dusan Lajovic and Hubi Hurkacz alongside Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, music producer and DJ Mustard. Attendees included Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, Prison Break actor Amaury Nolasco, retired NBA player Jason Collins, tennis player Alycia Parks and DJ Irie.
The annual celebrity tennis tournament was founded and produced by Brand Innovators svp and co-head of sports and entertainment, Ryan Macauley. Since 2004, the event has raised over $3.6 million for charities including Playing for Change Foundation, Sophie’s Voice Foundation, Cancer for College, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Yetunde Price Resource Center.
