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Novak Djokovic Will Be Allowed To Play In French Open

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)

He’s in. He’s out. Now he’s in again: Following the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, French Open officials say that Novak Djokovic will be allowed to defend his title.

The tournament, which is set to be the first Grand Slam sans any coronavirus-related restrictions since things got hectic, begins on May 22. Though French tennis federation president Gilles Moretton noted that things could change before that date.

France Monday lifted restrictions in all public places except hospitals, nursing homes and public transportation.

“As things stand, nothing stands in the way of Djokovic taking part in the French Open,” tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said.

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Russian tennis players will be allowed to play but only as neutral athletes, of course due to the war in Ukraine.

The 20-time Grand Slam winner was unable to defend his Australian Open title in January, it was a big thing. The 34-year-old is also out of numerous U.S. tournaments sans proof of vaccination.

“There’s still a virus circulating, and we have to be cautious,” Moretton said. “If things were to happen again and the government would take new measures, we would not be excluded from these measures.”