Tennis news: Novak Djokovic learns Wimbledon fate as Russia ban is set to stay

Wimbledon has announced more controversial rules ahead of the 2022 grand slam with defending champion Novak Djokovic learning his fate as players slam Russia’s ban.

Novak Djokovic will be allowed to defend his Wimbledon title after the All England Club announced there would be no restrictions on unvaccinated players for the 2022 edition of the tournament.

The third grand slam of the year - which starts on June 27 - will not enforce a bubble environment with players free to stay in private accommodation as UK regulations continue to relax.

Wimbledon organisers also doubled down on their decision to ban Russian and Belarusian players from competing to avoid “being used to benefit the propaganda machine of the Russian regime”.

It means stars such as US Open champion Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Aryna Sabalenka and Victoria Azarenka cannot play at the event.

“Whilst of course it (vaccination) is encouraged, it will not be a condition of entry to compete at the championships this year,” chief executive Sally Bolton said.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic will be allowed to play at Wimbledon despite being unvaccinated

“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.”

The news will be a welcome relief to Djokovic who was deported from Australia on the eve of the Open in January owing to his anti-vax sentiments and vaccination status.

At the time the Serb said he was prepared to sit out any other slams and tournaments as he stood by his beliefs that people should be free to make their own choices.

The world No 1 - who claims to have contracted Covid twice since the start of the pandemic - is currently tied with Roger Federer on 20 grand slams, one behind Rafa Nadal who won the Australian Open in January.

Djokovic had had limited time on court in 2022 as border restrictions continue to stipulate anyone entering a wealth of countries are fully vaccinated.

While relaxed on the vaccination front, Wimbledon is adamant rules for Russian and Belarussian players will not change despite widespread criticism from the players, the ATP, WTA and ITF.

Rublev labelled it “complete discrimination” while Djokovic said it was “crazy”.

But AELTC chairman Ian Hewitt defended the move and said it had taken into account UK government guidance which has the goal of limiting Russian influence.

Russia's Andrey Rublev will not be allowed to contest Wimbledon

“These are in effect two options -- declining entries or allowing entries but only with specific written declarations (against the invasion of Ukraine) from individual players,” he said at Wimbledon’s annual media briefing.

“First, even if we were to accept entries from Russian and Belarusian players with written declarations, we would risk their success or participation at Wimbledon being used to benefit the propaganda machine of the Russian regime, which we could not accept.

“Second, we have a duty to ensure no actions we take should put players or their families at risk. We understand and deeply regret the impact this decision will have on every individual affected and so many innocent people are suffering as a result of this terrible war.

“But... we believe we have made the most responsible decision possible in the circumstances and that, within the framework of the government’s position, there is no viable alternative to the decision we have taken in this truly exceptional and tragic situation.”

The ban could see significant sanctions handed down to Wimbledon with both the men’s and women’s tour able to refuse ranking points at the event.

That could reduce Wimbledon to the status of a high-profile exhibition event.

Players representing Russia and Belarus are currently allowed to take part in ATP and WTA events but are barred from competing under the name or flag of their countries.

TENNIS LEGEND FEDERER’S COMEBACK PLANS REVEALED

Former men’s tennis world number one Roger Federer, plagued by recurring knee problems for the last two years, will play singles at the ATP Basel indoor tournament in October, organisers said.

Federer, who hasn’t played competitively since losing last July in the quarter-finals at Wimbledon to Pole Hubert Hurkacz, replied to the organisers’ Instagram announcement with the message: “Looking forward to playing back home.” The tournament, like the 10-time winner, will be making its return after an enforced break having not taken place for the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“After a two-year break due to the pandemic, the Swiss Indoors Basel will return to the ATP Tour in the fall of 2022,” organisers said in a statement.

“10-time singles champion and hometown hero Roger Federer has announced his comeback to the stadium at St. Jakobshalle,” adding that “the worldwide interest...is expected to be tremendous”.

Federer, who turns 41 in August, is also due to play in the three-day team event Laver Cup with long-time rival Rafael Nadal in London in September.

The duo teamed up to play doubles at the inaugural event in 2017. Federer withdrew from the Olympics last year and underwent his third bout of knee surgery in 18 months, to “suture” his right internal meniscus and “treat (his) cartilage”.

Federer played just 13 matches in 2021, having played only six times in 2020. Federer has 20 career Grand Slam titles, tied for second with Novak Djokovic and one behind recordholder Rafael Nadal, who won the season-opening Australian Open.

Federer’s most recent Grand Slam title came at the 2018 Australian Open

🇨🇭 COMING HOME 🇨🇭@rogerfederer has announced he will return to tournament tennis in Basel in October! pic.twitter.com/AAjQaXJA4a

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 26, 2022

Originally published as Tennis news: Novak Djokovic learns Wimbledon fate as Russia ban is set to stay