Novak Djokovic free to play Wimbledon after organisers confirm players do not need to be vaccinated against COVID-19

Wimbledon organisers have confirmed COVID-19 vaccination will not be mandatory for players at this year's tournament, allowing world number one Novak Djokovic the chance to defend his title.

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said for the 135th staging of Wimbledon, which starts on June 27, UK Government regulations do not require players to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

«Whilst of course it is encouraged, it will not be a condition of entry to compete at the championships this year,» chief executive Sally Bolton said.

The AELTC also confirmed there will be no COVID-19 measures in place at the 2022 tournament and players will be allowed to stay in their own private accommodation.

34-year-old Djokovic, a 20-time major champion, was denied a chance to defend his Australian Open title in January due to his unvaccinated status.

The Serbian — who has claimed to have had COVID-19 twice, once in 2020 and again in 2021 — has won 20 Grand Slam singles titles, tied with Switzerland's Roger Federer for the second-most singles titles ever won by a male player.

They trail Rafael Nadal, who won his 21st singles title at this year's Australian Open.

Djokovic confirmed he was unvaccinated during an interview with the BBC in February.

Tennis star Novak Djokovic describes his time in Australian detention in previously unreleased footage from an interview with the BBC. 

After losing his legal battle in Australia, Djokovic said he would be willing to sit out other Grand Slam tournaments if getting vaccinated was a requirement to compete.

He has since played at tournaments such as the Dubai Championship in the United Arab Emirates and the Monte Carlo Masters in France, but was unable to enter the US to play at Indian Wells or in the Miami