In a sensational revelation ahead of the Australian Open, the 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic has revealed that he was served food that “poisoned” him during his short and difficult time in Melbourne in 2022, before his deportation from the country in the Covid vaccine row.
“I had some health issues, and I realised that in that hotel in Melbourne, I was fed some food that poisoned me,” Djokovic said in an interview to GQ magazine.
He said traces of lead and mercury were found in his body after that.
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“I had some discoveries when I came back to Serbia (following deportation). I never told this to anybody publicly, but discovered that I had a really high level of heavy metal. I had lead, a very high level of lead and mercury.”
The 37-year-old tennis legend’s visa was revoked, and he was ultimately deported from Australia because he declined to receive the Covid vaccination.
During his unsuccessful legal challenge to stay in the country, he was confined to an immigration detention facility.
Djokovic was asked further in the interview if he believed the food was contaminated. “That’s the only way,” he replied.
GQ’s queries from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs didn’t elicit any response “for privacy reasons”.
However, Djokovic said that he has no ill-feelings against the Australian people. In fact, he returned to Melbourne the following year and won the Australian Open.
“A lot of Australian people that I met in Australia the last few years or elsewhere in the world, have come up to me, apologising to me for the treatment I received because they were embarrassed by their own government at that point,” said Djokovic.
“And I think the government’s changed, and they reinstated my visa, and I was very grateful for that. I actually love being there, and I think my results are a testament to my sensation of playing tennis and just being in that country.
“Never met the people that deported me from that country a few years ago. I don’t have a desire to meet with them. If I do one day, that’s fine as well. I’m happy to shake hands and move on,” he said further.
Djokovic aims to secure his 11th Australian Open title and set a new record with his 25th Grand Slam trophy.
