A Florida governor insists he would be willing to go the extra mile to have Novak Djokovic enter the US and feature at the Miami Open.
The Serbian was forced to withdraw from this month’s Indian Wells Masters due to being unvaccinated from Covid-19. The United States have yet to lift the coronavirus vaccine mandate, meaning the 35-year-old will miss the tour’s first Masters 1000 event of the year.
Djokovic has yet to officially withdraw from the Miami Open which follows Indian Wells and now Ron DeSantis, governor of the Sunshine State, stated the measures he would go to for the tennis legend to appear at the Hard Rock Stadium. "I would run a boat from the Bahamas here for him. I would do that 100 percent,” he claimed.
“But I think his people are looking at it, and I'm not sure that's the way they want to come into the country, which I understand. I think it'd be a great moment, but you know, nevertheless." Djokovic had hoped to use a special exemption to enter the US in order to take part in the North-American hardcourt swing, but that now appears off the cards.
Many have criticised the decision to prevent him from entering the country, including the US Tennis Association. DeSantis has now also slammed the decision and called on President Biden to remove the Covid vaccine mandate.
“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 foreign travellers," he aded. "Mr. President – lift your restrictions and let him compete. Djokovic has already had Covid. You know, there's something called natural immunity, which the CDC didn't want to recognise, but we all know is a fact of life.
“And so he poses zero risk to the United States, zero risk to the state of Florida, and zero risk to Miami. So he should be allowed to compete." While competing at the Dubai Masters last week, Djokovic admitted he was ready to accept the fact he may not feature in the States once again.
“Whatever the decision is, if I'm not allowed, I'm going to pull out, of course, before the draw,” he said. “Let's see what the answer is, then I'll take it from there.” Tommy Haas, the Indian Wells tournament director, voiced his frustration with the ruling.
“Novak’s situation is obviously frustrating for us,” the German said. “We want the best tennis player in the world to be here. He’s writing me, he wants to be here.
“So of course, you’re like, OK, let’s try to make this happen. How can we figure this out that’s going to be realistic? But at the end of the day, unfortunately, that’s not in our hands and that’s what’s frustrating."
