Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called on US president Joe Biden to allow Novak Djokovic to compete at this month's Miami Open despite the world number one being unvaccinated for Covid-19.
Djokovic, one of the most high-profile athletes unvaccinated against the virus, applied to the US government last month for special permission to play at ATP Masters events Indian Wells, which begins on Wednesday, and the March 19th-April 2nd Miami Open.
The Serbian, 35, formally withdrew from Indian Wells on Sunday. Florida Senator Rick Scott said that US officials had denied Djokovic's request. "This denial is unfair, unscientific and unacceptable," Mr DeSantis wrote in a letter to Mr Biden on Tuesday. "I urge you to reconsider.
It's time to put pandemic politics aside and give the American people what they want - let him play." Republican DeSantis signed a law in November 2021 banning schools, businesses and government entities from requiring vaccination against Covid-19, drawing condemnation from health experts and Democratic leaders.