Novak Djokovic and the Russian athletes likely to compete at the French Open: NPR
Karim Sahib / AFP via Getty Images
French Open organizers say Novak Djokovic is allowed to compete at Roland-Garros even if he remains unvaccinated when the Grand Slam tournament begins in May – as long as coronavirus restrictions in France remain lifted cancel.
The highest ranked Serbian tennis player is deport from Australia in January after he sought to play at the Australian Open despite not being vaccinated for COVID-19.
“At this stage, there is nothing stopping him from getting back on the court,” French Open director Amelie Mauresmo said at a press conference on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.
The organizers also announced that Russian tennis players, including the highest ranked ones Daniil Medvedev, will be able to compete. However, those athletes cannot compete under the Russian flag due to their country’s continued invasion of Ukraine.
The French Open is considered the first Grand Slam after two years of full operation and without any COVID-19 restrictions. On Monday, the French government officially lifted the request immunized to gain access to most places and events in the country.
“Roland-Garros 2022 will be a large-scale event,” Mauresmo said. “We really wanted to hold a three-week event. As soon as the qualifiers were in place, we wanted the public to get the most out of the matches and the stadium.”
But the leaders of the French Open warned the situation could change depending on the COVID-19 context in France.
Djokovic has missed other recent Grand Slams due to his COVID-19 vaccination status. Vaccinations are a requirement for traveling to many locations, including the host countries of most tennis tournaments.
He made headlines in January for missing the Australian Open after he was expelled from the country over a mess over his vaccination status. Star tennis player said in an interview with the BBC last month that he will continue to miss other tournaments instead of getting a COVID-19 vaccine.
Djokovic is currently missing the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California. is underway and it was confirmed last week that he would also miss the Miami Open, which begins on March 21.
Clive Brunskill / Getty
When you miss those events, Djokovic tweeted last week, “I know it’s going to be difficult to travel. CDC has confirmed that the regulations won’t change, so I won’t be able to play in the US. Good luck to those who play in the leagues. this great tournament.”
The organizers at Roland-Garros continued their stance against Russia and Belarus by banning these countries from competing, but still allowing their athletes to compete under a neutral flag.
Tennis governing groups around the world have canceled events in Russia and Belarus, and excluded the two nations from the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup team tournaments.
Many global sporting events and organizations have gone a step further and completely banned Russian and Belarussian athletes due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Russian athletes have been banned by the International Olympic Committee from participating in the Paralympic Games. FIFA banned Russian teams from its football matches and was even removed from the popular video game FIFA 22.