Novak Djokovic’s bet that countries would begin to relax their vaccination requirements in time for him to play major tournaments has begun to pay off.

Officials in France announced on Thursday that the country would no longer require visitors to show proof of a Covid-19 vaccine to enter indoor establishments after March 14, most likely clearing the way for Djokovic, who was the world’s top-ranked tennis player until this week, to defend his title at the French Open this spring.

A spokesman for the French Open said the tournament planned to follow government regulations in effect at the time of the tournament, which begins on May 22.

Djokovic said he understood the important role that mass participation in vaccination programs played in allowing the world to move beyond Covid-19, but he remained unwilling to take one.

Unless rules for entering the US change, Djokovic will miss the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and the Miami Open. Britain, the site of Wimbledon in early summer, began relaxing its rules regarding vaccination and masking in January, and it is likely that Djokovic will be able to defend his championship there.

(New York Times News Service)