Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida, has appealed to US President Joe Biden to overturn a ban which is able to has stopped Novak Djokovic competing on this month’s large Indian Wells and Miami Open tournaments.
The world No.1 stays unvaccinated towards COVID-19 and submitted a request for particular permission to play within the two ATP Masters 1000 occasions within the US, with Miami set to start out in below two weeks.
However, the Serbian has already been compelled to withdraw from Indian Wells after his request was denied by American officers.
The US is predicted to elevate its ban on unvaccinated travellers in May however, in a letter to Biden on Tuesday, DeSantis urged them to rethink their ban on Djokovic forward of the Miami Open in his state.
“This denial is unfair, unscientific and unacceptable,” DeSantis wrote within the letter, which he posted on social media.
“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from participating in this tournament is your administration’s continued enforcement of a misguided, unscientific, and out-of-date COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreign guests.
“I urge you to rethink. It’s time to place pandemic politics apart and provides the American folks what they need – let him play.”
Florida senator Marco Rubio and Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas are two other figures who have also expressed their desire to see the ban overturned.
Djokovic has been involved in regular controversies as a result of his COVID-19 vaccine stance, previously stating he would be willing to miss grand slams rather than have the vaccination.
The 22-time grand slam champion missed the Australian Open last year after being deported over the issue but returned in January 2023 to win his 10th title in Melbourne, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
Djokovic has not competed in either Indian Wells or Miami since 2019. He has won Indian Wells on five occasions and is a record six-time winner in Miami.
DeSantis has been tipped as a possible Republican presidential candidate who might tackle Biden on the 2024 election if he can beat Donald Trump to his celebration’s nomination.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
