27 January 2026 | Tennis Victoria

In honour of today, January 27, 2026, being All-Abilities Day at the AO, it’s the perfect opportunity to shine a light on some of the incredible individuals in the Victorian tennis community who are breaking down barriers in tennis for people with disabilities and paving the way for others to follow. All Abilities Day at the AO showcases many of tennis’ disability pathways on the precinct’s biggest courts. These include Wheelchair Tennis, Blind and Low Vision Tennis (BLV), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Tennis (DHOH), and tennis for Players with an Intellectual Impairment (PWII).

Last year, we first met Lani, a mother of two boys originally from Vietnam, when she picked up a racquet for the very first time, 6 months ago, at a Blind and Low Vision Tennis Come and Try Day. You can read our story from the last time we spoke with Lani here.

Lani is blind and lives with Glaucoma. She explains that she first lost her vision when she was just one year old. Before discovering blind and low vision tennis, Lani had tried a few other sports, including basketball and golf. However, when she came along to try tennis for the first time, she immediately noticed how welcoming the community was, describing it as “so warm and welcoming and everyone so friendly”.

Before attending the come and try day, Lani said she had “never even touched a racquet before”, as she had never realised how accessible tennis could be for people of all abilities. Since that day, tennis has become a regular part of her life, with Lani now playing weekly at Liston Tennis Club.

Lani also shared how joining the blind and low vision tennis community has helped her feel more socially and personally connected. She says she now “feels more confident” and is passionate about encouraging others, adding, “I really want to bring more people like me from multicultural communities to come and enjoy the sport”. For her, inclusion in sport is about breaking down barriers, creating opportunities for connection, and showing that everyone has a place on the court, particularly in supporting migrant women, like herself.

Looking ahead, Lani’s goal for the coming year is to “build the Vietnamese Blind and Low Vision community and support people who have impaired vision from the Vietnamese community to come and try tennis”. Tennis has become a long-term part of her life, with Friday night sessions and time spent practising and having a hit now part of her weekly routine.

Lani also reflected on how transformative the experience has been, sharing that she had isolated herself for many years, but becoming involved in blind and low vision tennis has brought her closer to others and helped her form meaningful friendships. As she puts it, “sometimes we chat and have fun, doesn’t matter if you can hit the ball or not, just come.” Her story is a powerful reminder of the importance of inclusion in sport, not just for physical activity, but for building confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging.

To find out more about Blind and Low Vision tennis at Tennis Victoria please click here.