Florida governor Ron DeSantis on Wednesday has published a letter he sent to US President Joe Biden in which he launches several criticises and requests that Novak Djokovic be allowed to enter the country.
Djokovic was not allowed to enter the United States in time to compete in the Indian Wells Masters 1000 for not having been vaccinated against COVID -19.
“I note that since the onset of COVID-19, Mr. Djokovic has visited the United States twice, including once during your presidency, without any apparent health incident,” DeSantis wrote.
“It is also not clear to me why, even by the terms of your own proclamation, Mr. Djokovic could not legally enter this country via boat.
“Please confirm no later than Friday, March 10, 2023, that this method of travel into Florida would be permissible.” he added.
DeSantis went on to say that Biden’s administration had also pointedly allowed thousands of unvaccinated migrants to enter our country through the southern border.
“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.
The United States Tennis Association, Tommy Haas, the director of the Indian Wells tournament, and the US Open were among those who hoped Djokovic would be allowed to compete.
“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from participating in this tournament is your administration’s continued enforcement of a misguided, unscientific, and out-of-date COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreign guests,” DeSantis said.
DeSantis has admitted that Djokovic is a great threat to his rivals when it comes to tennis, but he does not appear to be a threat to public safety.
