“The tennis legend claims lead and mercury contamination during his Melbourne detention but insists he holds no grudge against Australians.”
January 10, 2025: In a stunning revelation, Novak Djokovic has claimed that he was “poisoned” with lead and mercury in his food during his brief and turbulent stay in Melbourne ahead of the 2022 Australian Open. The 37-year-old tennis star, who was deported over his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19, disclosed these allegations during an interview with GQ magazine.
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“I had some health issues. And I realised that in that hotel in Melbourne, I was fed some food that poisoned me,” Djokovic stated. He added that tests conducted after his return to Serbia revealed “a very high level of lead and mercury” in his system. When asked if he believed the contamination was deliberate, Djokovic responded, “That’s the only way.”
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During his 2022 ordeal, Djokovic’s visa was canceled, and he was held in a detention hotel while fighting an unsuccessful legal battle to remain in Australia. The country’s Department of Home Affairs declined to comment on Djokovic’s recent claims, citing privacy reasons.
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Despite the controversy, Djokovic insists he holds no resentment toward Australians. “A lot of Australian people have come up to me, apologising for the treatment I received because they were embarrassed by their own government at that point,” he said. “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.”
Djokovic returned to Melbourne in 2023, securing his 10th Australian Open title and solidifying his reputation as one of the sport’s all-time greats. As he prepares for the 2024 tournament, where he hopes to claim an 11th title and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam, Djokovic reflects on moving past the events of 2022.
“I don’t have a desire to meet the people who deported me,” he admitted. “But if I do one day, that’s fine as well. I’m happy to shake hands and move on.”
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Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2022, deportation controversy, lead and mercury poisoning, tennis news, Melbourne detention, Novak Djokovic interview, GQ magazine, Australian immigration, Grand Slam records.
