Last week, Florida’s Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, wrote to Vice President Joe Biden to request that the United States grant entrance to Novak Djokovic, the world’s number one tennis player, so that he can compete in a tournament in Florida.
In the opening Grand Slam tournament of the year, Djokovic played despite a hamstring injury to claim victory.
In his appeal letter, DeSantis termed the Biden administration’s decision to deny his entry to the nation “unfair, unscientific, and unacceptable.”
DeSantis noted that while Djokovic is a “superior competitive danger” to his fellow tennis pros, he does not represent a “significant health or public safety risk” to the United States. “It has come to my attention that since the commencement of COVID-19, Mr. Djokovic has made at least two visits to the United States, including one while your President, without any obvious health problem.”
Next, DeSantis proposed exploiting a legal loophole to get over the Biden administration’s prohibitions on admitting non-U.S. citizens who had not been vaccinated.
DeSantis emailed Trump saying he didn’t see why Djokovic couldn’t enter the nation lawfully by boat, even under the rules of Trump’s proclamation. “It would be greatly appreciated if you could verify by this coming Friday, March 10, 2023, whether or not this mode of transportation into Florida is legal.
In his letter to Biden, DeSantis clarified that the former vice president’s earlier proclamations had only restricted admission to the United States for foreign nationals arriving by air and at “land ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders.”
DeSantis pointed out that “your administration does not appear to have imposed equivalent limitations” for non-U.S. citizens attempting to enter the nation by boat.
DeSantis continued by saying the government had broken its standards by allowing “thousands of unvaccinated migrants to enter our nation via the southern border.”
Mr. Djokovic is a phenomenal tennis player and should be allowed to take part in this year’s Miami Open, which begins on March 20,” DeSantis said. So that he can continue to thrill and inspire tennis fans in Florida and around the country, I humbly urge that you approve his requested exemption.
As his wounds healed, the New York Times stated that his team ran into trouble since the United States does not let foreigners who have not been vaccinated into the nation participate in the following two major events. Djokovic has not gotten the COVID vaccination. In the study, it was said that there are pro-vaccine medical specialists who believe the ban should be lifted.
Two events, including one in Miami, from which Djokovic had to quit due to injury.
DeSantis said on Twitter that President Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine requirement for international passengers was the only thing preventing tennis star Novak Djokovic from competing in the Miami Open. Let him compete without any shackles, Mr. President.