- Djokovic claims to have been poisoned while in detention in Australia
- Djokovic admits many politicians hate him
Djokovic claims to have been poisoned while in detention in Australia
Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic has told GQ magazine that he believes he was "poisoned" while spending time in a Melbourne immigration detention centre ahead of the 2022 Australian Open.
In an interview on Thursday, the 24-time Grand Slam winner said he felt sick after eating food given to him at the Melbourne hotel where he was held after his visa was canceled.
Djokovic was detained in 2022 after the Australian authorities canceled his visa because he had not been vaccinated, and Australia had strict entry rules at the time because of COVID-19.
"I realized that I had been given food in that hotel in Melbourne, and that's what I poisoned myself with," Djokovic was quoted as saying by GQ.
"When I came back to Serbia, I found out some things. I didn't talk about it in public, but it turned out that I had a lot of metals in my system. Heavy metals. I had lead in my system, very high levels of lead and mercury."
According to GQ, the Australian Department of Home Affairs declined to comment on the matter, citing privacy concerns.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has not yet been in office when the incident occurred, was asked on Friday to comment on the tennis player's words.
"I have not seen those comments, so I won't say anything about comments I haven't seen," Mr Albanese replied. - I wish Djokovic all the best for the Australian Open."
Djokovic admits many politicians hate him
Djokovic also claimed that his deportation from Australia was political in nature, saying: "Everything was completely politicized. It had nothing to do with the vaccine, the kid or anything else".
"The politicians couldn't stand me there. I think it was easier for them to deport me than to keep me there", Djokovic told GQ magazine in an interview.
Although he is not a favorite in Australia, Djokovic does not hold any grudges against the country, saying: "I really like it there, and I think my results are a testament to how much I enjoy playing tennis and just being in the country.
The 37-year-old is determined to fight for his 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, which starts on Sunday. He has already won the trophy in Melbourne 10 times, most recently in 2023.
Based on ELTA reports
