Former world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic has claimed that he was “poisoned” by lead and mercury in his meals while he was briefly detained in Melbourne in 2022 before his deportation just before the Australian Open.
The Serbian had his visa revoked and was ultimately expelled from Australia due to his refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. He was kept in a detention hotel as he fought a legal battle to stay in the country.
“I encountered some health issues. And I discovered that while in that hotel in Melbourne, the food I was served caused me poisoning,” the 37-year-old Djokovic shared with GQ magazine in a detailed interview published on Thursday.
“I made some findings when I returned to Serbia. I have never publicly disclosed this before, but I discovered that I had significantly elevated levels of heavy metals. I had a high concentration of lead and mercury.”
When asked whether he believed his food was tainted, the Serb responded, “That’s the only possibility.”
Djokovic refrained from providing further details on Friday in Melbourne when queried about whether he possessed any proof linking his elevated heavy metal blood levels to the food he was served. Nevertheless, he stood firm on his accusations of poisoning.
“I would prefer not to delve deeper into that subject as I want to concentrate on tennis and my purpose for being here.
“If you wish to find out more about what I have said, you can always refer to the article.”
An Australia’s Department of Home Affairs representative said it could not comment on specific cases “for privacy reasons.” However, the country insists that detainees had access to a wide range of food and beverages that were nutritious, culturally suitable, and met specific medical or dietary needs.
Djokovic added that he does not harbour “any resentment towards the Australian people” despite the ordeal in 2022. A year later, he returned to Melbourne and claimed the title.
