TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis sent a letter to President Joe Biden demanding that Novak Djokovic be allowed to enter the country to play in the Miami Open.
Djokovic is not vaccinated against COVID-19 and the U.S. does not permit unvaccinated foreigners to enter the country.
"While Mr. Djokovic is surely a supreme competitive threat to his fellow tennis professionals, his presence in our country poses no meaningful health or public safety risk," DeSantis stated in Monday's letter.
The only thing keeping Novak Djokovic from participating in the Miami Open tennis tournament is President Biden’s misguided and unscientific COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreigner travelers.
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 7, 2023
Mr. President – lift your restrictions and let him compete. pic.twitter.com/fFyhNoUV4S
The White House has said that Biden plans to end the COVID-19 health emergency in May. It's unclear whether the travel rule will be ended at the same time because it's built into a separate proclamation.
The Miami Open is considered one of the biggest tournaments outside of the four grand slams. As the No. 1 tennis player in the world, Djokovic would be considered the favorite to win the trophy.
"There can be no question that his inclusion in the Miami Open would be a tremendous boon both for the treasured tournament and the tennis community at large," DeSantis said.
DeSantis requested that the president get back to him by Friday.
The Miami Open begins March 22.
