Novak Djokovic will miss next week's Miami open after being denied an exemption that would have allowed him to enter the U.S. despite not being vaccinated against covid-19.

Florida governor Ron Desantis and the state's two U.S. senators were among those calling on the Biden administration to allow world number one Djokovic to enter the U.S. and compete at the tournament he has won six times.

Djokovic, 35, is also missing the ongoing Masters event in Indian Wells, California due to inability to secure the exemption.

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 said he would skip grand slams rather than have a Covid shot.