Celebrities, Tennis Stars, and Pickleball Pros Take Over Desert Smash
The 2025 Desert Smash charity event in La Quinta brought together an unexpected but entertaining mix of sports and star power. Pop star Jason Derulo took to the pickleball courts alongside tennis maverick Nick Kyrgios, showcasing some surprising reflexes despite an ill-fated attempt at an overhand serve. The event, which benefited the WTA Foundation, added a new wrinkle this year—an entire day dedicated to pickleball before the usual tennis festivities. With Naomi Osaka, Kyrgios, and current world No. 1 pickleball pro Federico Staksrud in attendance, the mix of fun and competition kept the crowd entertained, especially when Kyrgios and Osaka went head-to-head in doubles action.
While no one expected high-level pickleball strategy to take center stage, there were plenty of entertaining moments. Osaka managed to rack up points against Kyrgios while casually keeping a sweatshirt tied around her waist, much to the amusement of the audience. However, Kyrgios and his partner, pickleball pro Callie Jo Smith, fought back to claim the win. Kyrgios, never one to shy away from trash talk, jokingly declared that Osaka had been running her mouth all match long. Later, in a rare matchup between a top tennis star and the world’s best pickleball player, Kyrgios edged out Staksrud in a close contest—but not before breaking a paddle in the process. Staksrud took it in stride, poking fun at Kyrgios’ signature grunts, which aren’t exactly common in the world of pickleball.
While the event was lighthearted, it highlighted an ongoing theme—pickleball’s continued rise in mainstream sports culture. With crossover athletes like Kyrgios and Osaka taking part, and high-profile celebrity involvement, pickleball is proving it can share the stage with tennis, not just as a recreational pastime but as a legitimate sport. The casual nature of the event didn’t stop the competition from heating up, nor did it stop a lucky bidder from dropping $6,500 on a paddle signed by Osaka and Kyrgios. And, if Kyrgios’ parting words are to be believed, he’ll be back for more pickleball action in the future—just hopefully with an intact paddle next time.
