Tennis icon Novak Djokovic, who is ranked No. 1 in the world by the Association of Tennis Professionals, has been denied entry to the United States to compete in the sport he has dedicated his life to because he is not vaccinated against COVID-19.
Joe Biden's Homeland Security Department has rejected the tennis star's request for a vaccine waiver. He has thus been forced to withdraw from the upcoming BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, which begins Wednesday of this week.
This is an absolute outrage. At age 35, Djokovic is probably one of the healthiest and most fit men in the world. And he has already had COVID twice – so he has the natural immunity that studies have shown to be at least as effective as the jab!
Senators Rick Scott and Marco Rubio from Florida voiced their criticism of the Biden Administration's decision in a joint letter sent to Biden, in which they reminded the president that five months ago he himself declared the pandemic to be over:
In September 2022, you plainly declared to a national audience on 60 Minutes that "the [COVID-19] pandemic is over," and, earlier this year, Dr. Anthony Fauci published a professional article acknowledging the limited efficacy of vaccines in protecting against respiratory pathogens, like the novel coronavirus. In light of these changing circumstances, and admissions by you and members of your own administration, the current restrictive vaccine mandate which you have maintained for international travelers entering the United States seems outdated and worthy of rescission.
Mr. Djokovic is a world-class athlete in peak physical condition who is not at high-risk of severe complications from COVID-19. 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 lack of public health risk, along with the clear benefit of his participation in an event that will be a major driver for our local economies should make the decision before you simple and serve as a precedent for others in his position, while hopefully leading to the full reversal of this mandate for other foreign visitors who wish to legally travel to our great nation.
This decision by the Biden administration is illogical, punitive, and cultish. And it's a national disgrace.
