Novak Djokovic and Russian athletes will be allowed to compete at 2022 French Open

Novak Djokovic will be allowed to play at the French Open, even if he is not vaccinated against COVID-19, as long as the pandemic situation in France remains stable.

Russian tennis players — including top-ranked Daniil Medvedev — will also be admitted to play at Roland-Garros but only as neutral athletes because of the war started by their country in neighbouring Ukraine.

Organisers said on Wednesday that there's nothing at the moment preventing Djokovic from defending his title at the clay-court grand slam.

France this week lifted measures requiring the need to wear face masks in most settings and allowing people who aren't vaccinated back into restaurants, sports arenas and other venues.

«At this stage, there is nothing to stop him returning to the courts,» French Open director Amelie Mauresmo said at a news conference where a number of initiatives and new formats for the tournament were announced.

Djokovic was deported from Australia in January after a protracted legal battle over whether he should be allowed to enter the country, forcing him to miss the Australian Open.

He told the BBC last month that he was willing to miss upcoming grand slam tournaments as well if they required him to be vaccinated.

French tennis federation president Gilles Moretton said that, although Djokovic is now free to play, French authorities might be forced to introduce new restrictions if the virus situation deteriorates before the tournament starts on May 22.

«It is not up to us,» Moretton said. «Today there is a little virus that is going around. We are quite confident that the lights are green, but we are all cautious about what has happened over the last two years.»

Asked whether Russian tennis players would be allowed to compete at the