Djokovic set to defend French Open title 

Tennis star Novak Djokovic looks set to play in the French Open in May after plans to scrap the Covid-19 vaccine passport scheme were announced.

The French government’s decision will also mean that any unvaccinated Chelsea players will be available for their Champions League round-of-16, second-leg tie away to Lille on March 16.

Djokovic’s vaccine status became international news when he was placed in a Melbourne hotel used to detain refugees before the Australian Open in January. The 20-times grand-slam champion, 34, who is the only unvaccinated player in the men’s top 100, had his visa cancelled and was deported because the immigration minister said his presence could cause “civil unrest”.

He made his comeback last week in Dubai, but lost in the quarter-finals, admitting that a lack of match play had hampered him. He also lost his world No 1 status to Daniil Medvedev of Russia.

In early January, the French sports minister, Roxana Mărăcineanu, suggested that Djokovic, who is based in Monaco and is the reigning French Open champion, would be able to compete in France even if unvaccinated.

However, when new laws came in later that month there was no exception for sportspeople in Covid bubbles.

Now France is planning to ditch its Covid vaccine passport. Jean Castex, the prime minister, said: “The health situation is improving thanks to our collective efforts. The conditions are met for a new phase of easing measures. From Monday, March 14, we will suspend the application of the vaccination pass wherever it applies.” In addition, facemasks will be needed only on public transport and in care homes.

Djokovic’s schedule has been in a state of flux because of the vaccination requirements of different countries.

Free to compete in Dubai, he is unable to travel to the United States to play in forthcoming tournaments at Indian Wells and in Miami.

However, it appears that he will now be able to play in the Monte Carlo Masters on April 10 and the French Open, which starts on May 22.

The Serb has said he is not against vaccination but that he should be free to choose what he puts in his body. Last week he told L’Equipe: “Based on all the information about the vaccine, I have decided not to get vaccinated. This is my position. Will it change or not? I don’t know.

“Everything is changing quite quickly, we see it in the decisions of certain governments. Right now I don’t feel like I need to protect my body and I don’t feel I’m a threat to others. Whether vaccinated or not, you can still transmit the virus.”