Novak Djokovic will be allowed to defend Wimbledon title as Covid restrictions lifted

Novak Djokovic will be allowed to defend his Wimbledon title this summer after All England Club officials confirmed players will not be required to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to compete.

The world No 1 won his sixth Wimbledon crown last year, defeating Italy's Matteo Berrettini in the final, to take his Grand Slam tally to 20.

He was denied the chance to add to that total at January's Australian Open after a lengthy legal battle ended with the Serb's deportation before the tournament over his vaccine status. Djokovic has said he has twice tested positive for the coronavirus.

Djokovic, 34, has played only three tournaments in 2022 because of entry restrictions imposed by various countries, missing out on high-level tournaments in the United States and other countries as a consequence.

With most nations relaxing their rules around the virus, though, Djokovic should be free to play a full schedule through the clay and grass-court stretches, although he is currently still unable to enter the USA.

Speaking at Wimbledon’s spring briefing, chief executive Sally Bolton said: “As you will be aware, the requirements set out by government to enter the UK do not include mandatory vaccination and, therefore, while of course it is encouraged, it will not be a conditional entry to compete at the Championships this year.”

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.

“We are planning to return to a normal Championships this year. And so we don’t intend to implement any of the Covid-19 measures that we saw last year in any substantial fashion.

2008: Novak Djokovic beats Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6 to win the