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Novak Djokovic To Compete In French Open After Easing Of Vaccine Rules

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 13: Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates as he kisses the trophy after winning his Men's Singles Final match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during Day Fifteen of the 2021 French Open at Roland Garros on June 13, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

On the heels of relaxed vaccine rules in the country, Novak Djokovic may be able to compete in the French Open after his ordeal with the Australian Open. The Serbian was famously prevented from playing Down Under due to his firm anti-Covid-19-vaccination stance.

France had the same vaccination standards as Australia, but Prime Minister Jean Castex said Thursday that on March 14 people will no longer have to show proof of vaccination to access public venues—including sports stadiums.

The French Open begins on May 22.

The lightening of restrictions could also pave the way for the 34-year-old to play in April’s Monte Carlo Masters.

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“The situation is improving thanks to our collective efforts,” Castex said. “The conditions are met for a new phase of easing of measures.”

Djokovic said during the Australian Open fiasco that missing large tournaments was “the price [he] was willing to pay” to eschew the vaccine.

Since digging his heels in, though, he lost his world number one ranking—a spot he’s held since February 2020—overtaken by Daniil Medvedev after being knocked out in the quarterfinals of last week’s Dubai Open, his first tourney since the Australian Open.