Novak Djokovic will be able to defend his Wimbledon title this summer after tournament organizers said players who are not vaccinated against covid-19 can compete at the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC).
The world No. 1 was not allowed to play at the Australian Open in January after having his visa revoked twice due to not being vaccinated, and Djokovic told the BBC earlier this year that he was prepared to miss out. other tournaments did require him to be vaccinated.
“The requirements set out by the government to enter the UK do not include compulsory vaccination,” Sally Bolton, executive director of the AELTC, told reporters on Tuesday. “Therefore, although it is of course encouraged, it will not be a condition to participate in this year’s championship.”
What happens to Novak Djokovic?
Following his deportation from Australia, Djokovic missed the Masters 1000 events in Indian Well and Miami due to covid-19 US entry rules.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion, seeking his seventh Wimbledon title, reached his first final of the year at the Serbian Open last week but lost to Andrey Rublev.
Djokovic will enter Wimbledon as one of the favorites and his chances of winning are increased by the absence of Daniil Medvedev and Rublev, two of the top 10 most dangerous players, after tournament organizers announced last week that Russian players would not be allowed to play. compete.
The Serb criticized the decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from playing at Wimbledon this year, calling the move “madness”.
Wimbledon takes place from June 27 to July 10.