Novak Djokovic barred from Miami Open 2023 due to Joe Biden's "misguided & unscientific" vaccine mandate, says Florida Governor, files fresh appeal

Novak Djokovic has earned fresh support for his entry into the United States ahead of the 2023 Miami Open.

Djokovic, who is prohibited from traveling to the United States due to his unvaccinated status, pulled out of the ongoing Indian Wells Masters after his special exemption request was rejected. He has now received fresh backing from the Governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis, ahead of the second tournament of the Sunshine Double.

On Tuesday, March 7, DeSantis took to social media to make a stern statement about the ordeal faced by the 22-time Grand Slam champion. The Governor was of the opinion that POTUS Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for foreign travelers was “misguided and unscientific” and was unnecessarily restricting the tennis legend from competing at the upcoming event in the Floridian city, which is to be held between March 19 – April 2.

“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 wrote in a tweet.

He appealed to the president to relax the restrictions and allow the six-time champion to compete at the tournament.

“Mr. President – lift your restrictions and let him compete,” he added.

DeSantis accompanied his tweet with a strongly worded letter addressed to President Biden, urging him to reconsider Djokovic's appeal.

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"We hope he is allowed entry into the country" – Miami Open organizers' statement regarding Novak Djokovic’s ordeal

The Serb is a six-time champion in Miami

Prior to the Florida Governor, US Senators for the state made a similar appeal to Joe Biden for granting Novak Djokovic permission to compete in Miami.

"Mr. Djokovic is a world-class athlete in peak physical condition who is not at high risk of severe complications from COVID-19," the letter read. "It seems both illogical and misaligned with the opinions of your own administration to not grant him the waiver he requests so that he may travel to the U.S. to compete in a professional event."

The tournament organizers themselves chimed in, voicing their support for the Serb.

“Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and a six-time champion of the Miami Open. We hope he is allowed entry into the country so Floridians have the opportunity to see him compete once again,” the Miami Open stated.

If the Serb’s appeal goes unheeded, resulting in a ban from competing at both Indian Wells and Miami, he will resume his 2023 campaign directly on clay, presumably at the Monte-Carlo Masters.