Maria Sharapova, John McEnroe among tennis stars to play in Elton John’s Smash Hits

During its 23-year run, WTT Smash Hits — a one-night tennis exhibition benefiting the Elton John AIDS Foundation — has visited myriad major American cities: Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Cleveland.

Two years ago, the host was London’s hallowed Royal Albert Hall.

In 2005, it was not-as-hallowed Hershey, Pennsylvania.

“Because they got behind it,” said Billie Jean King, the tennis legend who co-hosts the all-star event. She said they have a big entertainment park in Hershey, and a big arena. She didn’t mention the big chocolate factory, only that Smash Hits was a big success the year it was in Hershey.

All of them are. But few were as big as last year’s Smash Hits at Caesars Palace. It was just the third time the benefit raised more than $1 million for Elton John’s foundation, and increased the event’s charitable donation total in the fight against AIDS to more than $23 million.

“People love to come to Las Vegas — and they love to stay over and see Elton John play (his Million Dollar Piano in concert),” King said. “It’s a 1-2 punch.”

So it should come as no surprise that Smash Hits is returning to Caesars on Monday night. It will mark the first time a city has held the exhibition in back-to-back years.

Some of the biggest names in tennis — Maria Sharapova, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish, Mark Philippoussis — will hit the yellow fuzzy ball around the multi-colored court in a World Team Tennis format. Elton John and Billie Jean King will serve as coaches; Elton and Martina and Andy Roddick and a surprise guest will play a celebrity match at 6:30 p.m.

Sharapova was added to the lineup last week after her doping ban was reduced from two years to 15 months by a court of arbitration.

“I am really excited to get back on the court for a great cause,” the world’s former No. 1 women’s player said in a statement. “I have been wanting to play this event for Billie and Elton for a long time, so I am looking forward to a great night of tennis.”

This year’s Smash Hits will continue a long-standing friendship between Billie Jean King and Elton John that began when she was playing for the Philadelphia Freedoms of World Team Tennis, and he would sit behind the bench and cheer, wearing the team’s uniform.

John’s 1975 smash hit “Philadelphia Freedom” was an homage to King and her team and to TSOP — The Sound of Philadelphia.

“I really loved the song,” said Billie Jean King, speaking in an airport via cellphone some four decades later.