You don’t have to go to the BNP Paribas Open to watch some of the top tennis players perform. And if you can afford it, you can even play with them.

The 12th Annual Desert Smash at Westin Mission Hills, and Tennis with the Stars at Omni Rancho Las Palmas, both in Rancho Mirage on March 8, provide opportunities for amateurs to play with the tennis pros and exhibitions so fans can watch star athletes in action.

Both events take advantage of the plethora of pro tennis players in town for the BNP Paribas Open that runs March 7-20 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

12th Annual Desert Smash: This event brings tennis pros and celebrities together to raise money for charity.

Participating celebrities include: Hilary Swank, Chelsea Handler, Colton Haynes, Justin Chambers, Boris Kodjoe, Gavin Rossdale, Sia and Ja Rule.

Tennis pros includes: Sam Querrey, Bob and Mike Bryan, Kevin Anderson, Fernando Verdasco, Victoria Azarenka, Bruno Soares, Jamie Murray, Nicolas Monroe, Jan-Michael Gambill, Vince Spadea and Mardy Fish.

Source: http://www.desertsun.com