No vaccination, no problem. Djokovic is allowed to compete in Wimbledon.

World number one Novak Djokovic is allowed to start the title defense at the grass classic in Wimbledon without being vaccinated against the corona virus.

This is not a requirement for participation in the third Grand Slam tournament of the year from June 27 to July 10, said Sally Bolton, managing director of the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC), on Tuesday. Djokovic has won the title six times at Wimbledon, most recently last year.

Bolton stressed that they would encourage professionals to get vaccinated. The British government would also no longer require this for entry. “We plan to return to a normal tournament this year,” said Bolton. “Therefore we will not implement any of the Covid 19 measures of the past year in any substantial form.”

The 34-year-old Djokovic was unable to defend his title at the Australian Open at the beginning of the season because he was expelled from the country due to the lack of vaccination. For this reason, he was also not admitted to the American tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. At his home tournament in Belgrade, Djokovic had recently lost in the final. There are also no corona rules in the way of a start in Rome and at the French Open.

Tennis professionals from Russia and Belarus remain excluded

Players from Russia and Belarus are not allowed to take part in this year’s edition of the tennis classic. The organizers announced this a week ago. They want to react to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.

Those affected by the decision include world number two Daniil Medvedev from Russia and two-time Grand Slam tournament winner Viktoria Asarenka from Belarus.