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Djokovic, one of the most high-profile athletes
unvaccinated against the virus, applied to the U.S. government
last month for special permission to play at ATP Masters events
Indian Wells, which begins on Wednesday, and the March 19-April
2 Miami Open.
The Serbian, 35, formally withdrew from Indian Wells on Sunday.
Florida Senator Rick Scott said that U.S. officials had denied
Djokovic's request.
"This denial is unfair, unscientific and unacceptable," DeSantis
wrote in a letter to 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.
The U.S. currently bars unvaccinated foreigners from entry into
the country, a policy that is expected to be lifted when the
government ends its COVID-19 emergency declarations on May 11.
Djokovic, who missed last year's Australian Open after being
deported from that country due to his vaccination status, has
said he would skip Grand Slams rather than have a COVID shot.
He won his record-tying 22nd Grand Slam at the Australian Open
in January. He has not played at Indian Wells or the Miami Open
- which together comprise the "Sunshine Double" - since 2019.
Last week, Scott and fellow Republican Senator Marco Rubio of
Florida also wrote to Biden urging him to grant the waiver
request.
Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas, the United States
Tennis Association and the U.S. Open were among those also
hoping Djokovic would be allowed to enter.
"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misguided, unscientific, and out-of-date COVID-19 vaccination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.
(Reporting by Hritika Sharma in Bengaluru; Editing by Kim
Coghill)
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