Lani’s First Serve Into Blind and Low Vision Tennis | 21 July, 2025

Lani Dinh, a proud mother of two boys and a Melbourne local, has always had a quiet admiration for tennis. But until recently, she never imagined she’d play the sport herself, especially as someone who is blind and living with glaucoma.

Originally from Vietnam, Lani says tennis wasn’t a common sport where she grew up, particularly not for women with disabilities. Now working at Crown Resorts Melbourne, her connection to the sport has deepened over the years through her workplace’s involvement with the Australian Open (AO).

“Being [there] has allowed me to soak in the incredible atmosphere of the Australian Open every year,” she says. “Even though I’m blind, I still attend matches at the AO annually with my husband and college friends. The passion and energy of the sport has always stayed with me.”

So, when she came across our recent Blind and Low Vision (BLV) Come and Try Day, Lani didn’t hesitate. “I felt lucky and excited to have the chance to step onto the court, something I had never imagined possible for someone blind like me.”

From the moment she arrived at the session, Lani says the experience felt welcoming and inclusive. “I felt a strong sense of warmth and belonging. Everyone was open, friendly, and welcoming, which helped me feel comfortable and eager to participate.” With enthusiastic support from coaches and players alike, she found herself trying things she never thought she would do. “I discovered new ways of playing that I’d never thought possible,” she says. “I truly felt this sport suited me, and I’m now motivated to seriously pursue it.”

It was Lani’s first time experiencing tennis as a participant. Still, she recalls feeling comfortable and capable within the supportive structure of a Come and Try Day. “This was the very first time in my life that I stepped onto a tennis court and held a racquet. But I felt I could play!”

“The soft balls made a sound which helped me track them,” she says. “Tactile start lines helped with orientation and movement on court. I know I have more to learn and work on, but from the first moment I tried BLV Tennis, I loved it.”

More than anything, it was the people that made the day special. “Everyone was so warm and helpful, from the coach to the players, and I even got to meet some tennis champions. Although I’m an older Asian woman, I felt instantly accepted and embraced. It made me want to be part of the team. I walked away feeling happy and full of hope that I’d found something I want to stay connected to long term.”

Lani is proof of the importance of pathways like BLV Tennis. “For people with disabilities, especially those from migrant or culturally diverse communities, opportunities to join mainstream sports are often limited. Many don’t know that sports like tennis can be made accessible, or that they’re welcome.”

She adds that programs like these “help break down isolation and create spaces where people feel empowered, included and inspired. They provide not just physical activity, but social connection, confidence, and belonging.”

When asked what she’d say to someone who may be unsure about trying BLV Tennis for the first time, her answer is simple and encouraging: “Just come and give it a try! You don’t have to be young, fast or experienced. You just need curiosity and a willingness to try something new.”

“You might be surprised, like I was, at how much you enjoy it. BLV Tennis could open a new chapter in your life, just as it has for me.”

For Lani, the journey into BLV Tennis is only just beginning. “I hope my story encourages more blind and low-vision individuals, especially those from migrant or older backgrounds, to give BLV Tennis a go,” she says. “You never know, it might change your life too.”