Wimbledon’s decision to allow players unvaccinated against Covid-19 to participate in this year’s tournament opens the way for Novak Djokovic, the No. 1-ranked men’s singles player who missed the Australian Open because he was unvaccinated, to enter the draw.
“As you will be aware, the requirements set out by government to enter the U.K. do not include mandatory vaccination,” Sally Bolton, the chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, which organizes Wimbledon, said in a news conference Tuesday. “And therefore, whilst of course it is encouraged, it will not be a condition of entry to compete in the championships this year.”
Djokovic’s refusal to be vaccinated led to his deportation from Australia, costing him the chance to play in the Australian Open, a tournament he has won a record nine times and the first of the four Grand Slam tournaments on the calendar. Djokovic, 34, has won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, one behind Rafael Nadal for the career record. Nadal moved ahead by winning in Australia.
Djokovic now has a chance to claim a fourth straight Wimbledon men’s singles title after winning in 2018, 2019 and 2021. (The pandemic forced the cancellation of the 2020 tournament.)