World's No.1 tennis player Novak Djokovic will be permitted to defend his title at Wimbledon without being required to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
The 34-year-old tennis superstar missed the Australian Open in January after being deported from that country because he was not vaccinated against the illness caused by the coronavirus that has led to the deaths of millions during the pandemic that began in 2020.
Chief executive of the All England Club, Sally Bolton, said that the requirements imposed by the UK government to enter the country "do not include mandatory vaccination."
"Therefore whilst of course, it is encouraged, it will not be a condition of entry to compete at the Championships this year," said Bolton.
Back To Normal Wimbledon
Last year's Covid-related restrictions, which included reduced crowds for most of the tournament and strict conditions imposed on the players, will all be lifted as per a report from ABC News.
Bolton said that there are plans "to return to a normal Championships this year," and they have no intention to implement in "any substantial fashion" the COVID-19 restrictions enforced last year.
However, the club is "keeping it" on their radar if ever there would be a need "to take further action" when they deal with "DCMS, public health officials and with other sports."
Bolton added that the lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions would allow players to "return to their own choice of accommodation," according to a Sky Sports report.
"We will see full capacity crowds for the whole event. And we're absolutely thrilled to welcome back the wider tennis family to Wimbledon this year," she said.
Djokovic was forced to miss the Masters 1000 events at Indian Wells and Miami after being deported from Australia due to the COVID-19 entry requirements imposed by the United States.
The 20-time grand slam champion, who is chasing his seventh Wimbledon championship, made it to the final of the Serbian Open last week, but Andrey Rublev defeated him.
😤🙌🏼 @SerbiaOpen2022 idemooooo pic.twitter.com/ZYRQKkNMhf
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) April 21, 2022
Djokovic is one of the favored to win Wimbledon, and his chances are bolstered by the absence of Daniil Medvedev and Rublev, two of the top 10's most dangerous players after tournament organizers declared last week that Russian players would not be permitted to play.
The Serb athlete called the move to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing at Wimbledon "crazy," per CNN.
This year's Championships will take place from June 27 to July 10.
Tennis Fans React
While many tennis fans welcomed the decision as a victory for Djokovic and his right to choose, others lambasted Wimbledon organizers for what they called a "disgraceful" move, Yahoo! Sports reported.
Broadcaster Sophie Corcoran tweeted: "Djokovic is allowed to play at Wimbledon this year! Athletes shouldn't be forced into vaccination."
For a Twitter user, Kannan, a news editor, the decision to allow an anti-vaxxer to compete in the tournament sends an improper message.
He tweeted: "An anti-vaxxer is setting the wrong example. Wish Wimbledon had made it compulsory like Australian Open. Novak wins. He enters London unvaccinated for The Championships."
