Ron DeSantis says he will bring Novak Djokovic to Florida on a boat from the BAHAMAS

Ron DeSantis is determined to get the unvaccinated Novak Djokovic to play at the Miami Open – even if it means putting him on a boat.

The Florida governor says he’s still trying to sidestep “old” vaccination mandates for foreign visitors after writing a letter to President Biden urging him to let the tennis star into the United States.

The world No. 1’s desire for an exemption for next week’s tournament is fading and Djokovic remains firm on his decision not to get the vaccine because he didn’t see himself as a high risk.

He has already withdrawn from the Indian Wells Open in California after being denied entry to the United States

“Almost no other country in the world is doing this,” DeSantis said, criticizing the ongoing ban on travelers who didn’t have the COVID vaccination.

DeSantis admitted it wasn’t ultimately his choice if the world number one got to compete and joked that he might need a boat from the Bahamas to South Florida.

Ron DeSantis is determined to get the unvaccinated Novak Djokovic to play at the Miami Open – even if it means putting him on a boat

Novak Djokovic (pictured) will withdraw from the Indian Wells Open tournament next week

He also said Djokovic decided against the shot because he was “low risk” and now has “natural immunity” from being infected.

“It just shows you how ridiculous some of this nonsense we’ve been through is,” he added.

Announcing his COVID response in Florida, he said: “We fought back insanity. We have created the sanctuary of sanity and the citadel of liberty. We didn’t let the state sink into some kind of Fauci-an dystopia.

The letter from DeSantis, sent Monday and obtained by DailyMail.com, came on the same day he delivered his speech to the state and bolsters his national activity as he nears a presidential announcement.

“The rejection is unfair, unscientific and unacceptable,” DeSantis wrote in his letter. “I dare you to reconsider.”

With just five days to go before this season’s inaugural Masters competition, the 35-year-old has yet to receive a response from the US government on his bid.

He said: “Whatever the decision, if I’m not allowed to, of course I will retire before the draw.

“Let’s see what the answer is, then I’ll move on. I’m now concentrating on the tournament here in Dubai, then we’ll see.”

The letter comes as nearly all COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in the US and the national declaration of emergency is due to end in May.

“It’s time to put pandemic politics aside and give the American people what they want — let them play,” DeSantis said.

“The only thing keeping Mr. Djokovic from participating in this tournament is your government’s continued enforcement of a misguided, unscientific and outdated COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreign guests wishing to visit our great country,” continued the Florida Governor continues to rip into Biden and the remnants of pandemic-era politics.

The letter is another sign that Desantis is preparing to take on Biden should they face off in a general election battle in 2024.

The US is the only country on the ATP tour that requires players to be vaccinated – although that rule is set to be lifted by President Joe Biden’s office on May 11 – three months ahead of the Grand Slam US Open.

DeSantis’ two-page letter to Biden, which DailyMail.com received ahead of its public release, shows the Florida governor calling on the president to stop enforcing “a misguided, unscientific and outdated COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreign guests.”

His absence gives teenager Carlos Alcaraz (above) a chance to climb to the top of the world rankings

Djokovic missed the flagship US Open and several other competitions in the US last year after the Centers for Disease Control failed to relax its regulations. Indian Wells and Miami organizers have urged the government to let him into the country.

The Serb only withdrew from last year’s Indian Wells roster after the draw, which was controversial as his decision meant the first substitute had to go through qualifying rather than take his place and denied another the opportunity to take the qualifying spot .

But this year he has insisted he retire before the draw rather than wait until just before the first game.

His final decision could come on Saturday after the Dubai Duty Free Championships conclude, with the draw taking place in Indian Wells on Sunday, a day before the event begins.

If Djokovic retires, Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz can rise to the top of the world rankings, but only if he wins the tournament.

The 15-match unbeaten veteran meets 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in Friday’s Dubai semifinals.

Britain star Emma Raducanu, 20, received a wildcard spot at the Miami Open on Thursday and will also perform at Indian Wells after several other players pulled out.

Miami Open boss and ex-player James Blake has urged the US government to let Djokovic in