Djokovic can play Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic will be allowed to defend his title at Wimbledon, despite not being vaccinated against COVID-19, because the shots are not required to enter Britain, All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton said.
Djokovic, a 34-year-old Serb who is ranked No. 1, missed the Australian Open in January after being deported from that country because he was not vaccinated against the illness caused by the coronavirus that has led to the deaths of millions during the pandemic that began in 2020.
During the annual spring briefing ahead of Wimbledon, which starts on June 27, Bolton said that “whilst, of course, it is encouraged” that all players get vaccinated, “it will not be a condition of entry to compete” at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament this year.
Rafael Nadal will play the Madrid Open after recovering from a rib injury that sidelined him for a month, the Spaniard said . ... Roger Federer intends to return to tournament tennis after what will have been more than a year away from the tour by playing at the Swiss Indoors in October.
NCAA President Mark Emmert is stepping down after 12 years on the job. NCAA Board of Governors Chairman John DeGioia announced the move and said it was by mutual agreement. Emmert will continue to serve in his role until a new president is selected and in place or until June 30, 2023.
The Chargers signed veteran reserve center/guard Will Clapp, a 2018 seventhround pick who spent the last four seasons with New Orleans. Clapp, 26, has appeared in 34 regular-season games with seven starts.
Scott Quessenberry left the Chargers last month, signing a free-agent contract with Houston.
— Jeff Miller
The Buffalo Bills picked up the fifth-year option of Ed Oliver’s rookie contract in a decision that locks up the defensive tackle through the 2023 season . ... Running back Bilal Powell signed a one-day contract with the New York Jets, retiring as a member of the only NFL franchise he played for . ... The Detroit Lions have exercised their fifth-year option on tight end T.J. Hockenson.
IndyCar has tweaked qualifying for next month’s Indianapolis 500 to add a shootout that will determine the first four starting rows. The new format will set positions 13 through 33 on May 21, the first day of qualifying at Indianapolis Motor Speedway . ... A filly died after suffering a training injury at Santa Anita, the track’s second such death in two days and fifth this year. Cayton Kid, a 4-year-old filly trained by Gary Stute, suffered a musculoskeletal injury during training at the Arcadia track, according to the California Horse Racing Board’s website . ... Russia was removed as host of the 2023 world championship in men’s ice hockey that was to be played in Vladimir Putin’s home city St. Petersburg. Citing “concern for the safety and well-being of all participating players, officials, media, and fans,” the International Ice Hockey Federation announced the decision after its ruling council met . ... The Houston Dash suspended general manager and coach James Clarkson after the NWSL team received a report on alleged discrimination, harassment and abuse.