Danielle Laidley’s return to sport locked in

Danielle Laidley is “putting some practice hours in” ahead of her long-awaited return to the sporting stage in a glamorous new gig.

Danielle Laidley will return to the sporting stage to play and captain in the Glam Slam tournament at the Australian Open in January.

The former AFL player and coach is taking to the tennis court on AO Pride Day to participate in the celebrity match on Kia Arena.

“Excited is certainly an understatement,” Laidley said.

“I can’t wait, it’s a privilege to play on Kia Arena, where so many great deeds have been achieved.

“I will have to put some practice hours in, to brush up my skills, but it’s certainly about the fun of the event.”

Danielle Laidley on the red carpet at the 2022 AFL Brownlow Medal count. Picture: Mark Stewart

The Glam Slam presented by Ralph Lauren is in its sixth year and continues to grow with more than 100 players from around the world to compete in the tournament.

The celebrity match will feature legends of tennis plus local sporting names and celebrities.

Laidley will also be part of an ‘In Conversation With Danielle Laidley’, interviewed by renowned global tennis journalist and broadcaster Nick McCarvel. The event, in its fifth year, will be held at The Osborne in South Yarra on January 13.

Previous guests have included NBA basketballer Jason Collins, Australian tennis legend Casey Dellacqua and soccer player Andy Brennan.

Laidley will talk about her life, her book, Don’t Look Away, which was released this year, plus her upcoming documentary.

“I’m very excited and grateful to be involved in both events, The Australian Open is a diverse and inclusive event helping the community understand the rainbow community,’’ Laidley said. “This is an absolute honour.”

She added: “It’s been very busy, exciting, at times very emotional. The support and positive feedback towards the book have been incredible, and quite overwhelming.”

Rowen D’Souza, founder of the Glam Slam, said it was important to have someone with Laidley’s profile in the event.

“Being visible is an important way which the LGBTIQ+ community advances the cause of our inclusion in all aspects of life,’’ he said.

“Danielle has made the very human desire to “be your true self” very visible to a huge audience around Australia. Sport can be a very scary place; many fear judgment and ridicule for being different. It’s so important that someone like Danielle continues to show the way for others who want express outwardly their true selves.”

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