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A16 sports
Thursday 17 March 2022

Djokovic, Russian players expected to compete at French Open

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN year if they don't distance
AP Sports Writer themselves from President
Novak Djokovic will be al- Vladimir Putin. Oudea-
lowed to play at the French Castera said French orga-
Open even if he is not vac- nizers don't plan to start a
cinated against COVID-19 detailed and individualized
as long as the coronavi- analysis of players' individ-
rus situation in France re- ual situations, which "can
mains stable, organizers be extraordinarily depen-
said Wednesday. Russian dent on the family situa-
tennis players, including tions experienced by each
top-ranked Daniil Medve- of them." Russia invaded
dev, will also be admitted Ukraine on Feb. 24, the day
to play in the tournament Medvedev was assured of
but as neutral athletes be- moving atop the ATP rank-
cause of the war started by ings for the first time while
their country in neighboring competing at the Mexico
Ukraine. Open. "Watching the news
Organizers said there is from home, waking up here
nothing at the moment pre- in Mexico, was not easy,"
venting Djokovic from de- Medvedev said then. "By
fending his title at the clay- being a tennis player, I
court Grand Slam. France want to promote peace
this week lifted measures Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, serves to Gael Monfils, of France, at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tour- all over the world. We play
requiring the need to wear nament Monday, March 14, 2022, in Indian Wells, Calif. in so many different coun-
face masks in most settings Associated Press tries; I've been in so many
and allowing people who countries as a junior and
aren't vaccinated back French Open twice and has happened over the last countries will be allowed to as a pro. It's just not easy to
into restaurants, sports are- has a total of 20 major ti- two years." Asked whether compete in WTA, ATP and hear all this news. ... I'm all
nas and other venues. tles, one short of the record Russian tennis players will be Grand Slam tournaments for peace."
"At this stage there is noth- held by Rafael Nadal after allowed to compete at the but not under the name or Without any outdoor re-
ing to stop him returning to the Spaniard won this year's tournament in the light of flag of Russia or Belarus. strictions in place, Moretton
the courts," French Open Australian Open. the war in Ukraine, organiz- "We are holding this line," said he expects the Roland
director Amelie Mauresmo French tennis federation ers said they plan to stick to said Amelie Oudea-Cas- Garros venues to be used
said at a news conference. president Gilles Moretton decisions suspending Rus- tera, the French tennis fed- at "maximum capacity"
Djokovic was deported said that although Djokovic sia and ally Belarus but al- eration director general. this year after the previous
from Australia in January is now free to play, French lowing their players to com- Other sports, including two editions were affected
after a legal battle over authorities might be forced pete as neutral athletes. track and field, soccer and by the pandemic. Tickets
whether he should be al- to introduce new restric- The seven groups that run figure skating, have barred went on sale this month,
lowed to enter the country, tions if the virus situation de- the sport around the world Russian and Belarusian ath- and Moretton said about
forcing him to miss the Aus- teriorates before the tour- have condemned the war; letes from competition. 500,000 seats out of the
tralian Open. He told the nament starts on May 22. canceled events in Russia Wimbledon organizers 600,000 available for the
BBC last month that he was "It is not up to us," Moretton and Belarus; kicked those are having conversations day sessions have already
willing to miss upcoming said. "Today there is a little two nations out of the Billie with the British govern- been sold. For the 10 night
Grand Slam tournaments virus that is going around. Jean King Cup and Davis ment about whether Rus- sessions on Court Philippe
as well if they required him We are quite confident that Cup team competitions; sian players should be al- Chatrier, only 50,000 tickets
to get vaccinated. the lights are green, but we and announced on March lowed to compete at the remain available from the
Djokovic has won the are all cautious about what 1 that players from those grass-court tournament this 150,000 on sale. q