Not vaccinated against COVID, Novak Djokovic will be able to play at Wimbledon

The 34-year-old Serbian did not enter the Australian Open in January after being kicked out of that country because he was not vaccinated against the coronavirus that claimed the lives of millions during the pandemic that began in 2020.

At a spring press briefing before Wimbledon, which starts on June 27, Sally Bolton said that although all players are encouraged to be vaccinated, it will not be a requirement to enter to play in this year’s grand slam tournament.

Djokovic, in addition to not being able to defend his title at Melbourne Park after an 11-day politico-legal saga if he could stay in Australia, had to miss out on tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami because he could not travel to the United States as a foreigner not vaccinated.

The U.S. Tennis Association said it will follow all applicable government rules regarding COVID-19 vaccination status when the U.S. Open takes place beginning in late August.

The man who declared he had COVID-19 twice, in 2020 and 2021, won 20 major singles titles, tying Roger Federer in second on the men’s side. They are second only to Rafael Nadal, who won his 21st in Australia earlier this year.

The world No. 1 has won six of his trophies in London, including the last three tournaments in 2018, 2019 and 2021. The tournament was canceled in 2020 due to pandemic.

After the saga in Australia, Djokovic said he was willing to skip another grand slam if vaccination was a requirement for the competition.

The next major tournament, Roland-Garros, will begin on May 22, and tournament director Amélie Mauresmo said last month that nothing can stop Djokovic from defending his 2021 title in Paris.

The Rome Masters 1000, a clay-court tournament that serves as preparation for the French Open, also announced that Djokovic could play there next month.