DeSantis Presses Biden to Let Unvaccinated Tennis Star Djokovic Enter Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote a passionate letter to President Joe Biden in which he criticizes the administration. “misguided and unscientific” Requesting the President to exempt Novak Djokovic from his COVID-19 vaccination mandate as a foreign traveler and allow him to compete at a Miami tournament.

DeSantis requested the information in an March 7 letter to Biden, in which the Florida Republican said Djokovic had applied for the waiver—and been rejected.

“This denial is unfair, unscientific, and unacceptable,” DeSantis wrote about tennis’s vaccination drama.

Djokovic is an athlete who has been most visible to be unvaccinated against COVID-19.

The top-ranked tennis player asked U.S. authorities last month for special permission to play at several tournaments in the United States—the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, scheduled to begin on Mar. 8, and the Miami Open, set for March 19–April 2.

Florida senator Rick Scott, who is a Republican said that Officials from the United States had denied Djokovic’s request for a waiver.

Djokovic withdrew officially from Sunday’s Indian Wells tournament, but his participation at the Miami Open is still uncertain.

“I urge you to reconsider. It’s time to put pandemic politics aside and give the American people what they want—let him play,” DeSantis encouraged Biden.

The White House didn’t immediately reply to our request for comment.

‘Misguided, Unscientific, and Out-of-Date’ Mandate

Biden Administration rules bar foreigners not vaccinated from coming into the country. These restrictions will end when the government stops its COVID-19 emergencies declarations.

DeSantis criticised the policy and raised such arguments that a study suggesting natural immunity is at least as effective than vaccines, as well as other research finding serious health risks associated with the shot.

“The only thing keeping Mr. Djokovic from participating in this tournament is your administration’s continued enforcement of a misguided, unscientific, and out-of-date COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreign guests,” DeSantis said.

Biden’s statement in September 2022, which he declared was the “final declaration of our nation,” was also mentioned by the governor. “pandemic is over” The administration has indicated its intention to end COVID-19’s emergency officially in May this year.

“The time has come to give up the fiction that COVID vaccines remain a necessary tool to promote public health,” He stated.

Possibility of Entry by Boat

DeSantis also brought up a technical issue about Biden Administration’s restrictions on unvaccinated foreigners entering the country. It was suggested by Djokovic that he might be able get around these restrictions by entering the country from the boat.

Biden’s October 2021 proclamation that prohibited unvaccinated citizens of the United States from flying to the United States via air was cited by DeSantis. DeSantis noted that the Department of Homeland Security has placed restrictions on entry to prevent such people from entering via land ports of entry or ferry terminals at U.S. – Mexico and U.S. – Canada borders.

“But your administration does not appear to have issued analogous restrictions for non-U.S. individuals seeking to enter our country by boat,” DeSantis also wrote that Djokovic may be allowed to play, noting that it was possible. “enter this country via boat.”

DeSantis requested that Biden confirm, by March 10, whether Djokovic can travel to Florida via boat while remaining compliant with restrictions.

“In sum, the current ‘travel ban’ as applied to Mr. Djokovic—and presumably millions of other potential unvaccinated foreign visitors—seems completely ungrounded in logic, common sense, or any genuine concern for the health and welfare of the American people,” DeSantis wrote.

Although it is not known if Djokovic plans to try and enter Florida by water, DeSantis has offered help. told the Washington Times This “we hope to be able to assist Mr. Djokovic in his participation in the Miami Open in any way possible.”

Besides DeSantis and several other Republican lawmakers, Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas, the United States Tennis Association, and the U.S. Open have also expressed support for Djokovic to be able to enter the United States and take part in the tournaments.