Defending Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic will once again hit the grass tennis court.
Djokovic is ranked No. 1 in the world, but had not been allowed to play at the Australian Open in January. His visa had been revoked because he was not vaccinated against COVID-19, CNN reported.
He had been set to defend his Australian Open title before he was banned, Sky Sports reported.
Djokovic, who is from Serbia, had told BBC News that he was willing to miss other tournaments if admittance required a coronavirus vaccine.
He also did not compete in the Masters 100 events at Indian Wells and Miami because of rules set by the U.S. government.
“The requirements set out by (the) government to enter the U.K. do not include mandatory vaccination,” Sally Bolton, chief executive of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, said, according to CNN. “Therefore, whilst of course it is encouraged, it will not be a condition of entry to compete at the Championships this year.”
Djokovic is one of the players favored to win and if he does, it will be his seventh Wimbledon title.
His chances have increased, since Russian players will not be permitted to compete because of their country’s invasion of Ukraine.
Wimbledon is scheduled from June 27 to July 10 and will see restrictions lifted that had been put into place because of the COVID-19 pandemic, if the current trend continues. Officials said they are keeping the pandemic “on our radar in case we need to take further action,” Sky Sports reported.
The move means players can choose their own accommodations and crowds will be at full capacity.
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