Novak Djokovic claims he was “poisoned” in Australia: where does this heavy accusation made by the tennis star come from ?

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic claims he was “poisoned” in 2022 while in custody in Australia before being deported from the country for failing to get vaccinated against Covid-19, in an interview published Thursday on the GQ magazine website.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

“I had health problems. And I realized that in this hotel in Melbourne (where he was detained, editor's note) I was given food that poisoned me”, said the winner of 24 Grand Slam tournaments, who will try to win a 25th at the Australian Open (January 12-26).

“I discovered things when I returned to Serbia. I had never said it publicly, but I discovered high levels of heavy metals”.

“Lead and mercury”

In his body, Djokovic assured that he had discovered “lead, a very high level of lead and mercury”.

Asked whether the contamination was of food origin, the Serb judged that it was “the only explanation” possible.

Refusal to be vaccinated against Covid

The former world No. 1, now 7th, had created controversy by refusing to get vaccinated against Covid-19. In early 2022, after arriving in Australia to play the first Grand Slam of the season, his visa was cancelled.

“Focus on tennis”

After being detained, Djokovic was eventually expelled from Australia and was unable to play the tournament, which he nevertheless won for the tenth time a year later, in 2023.

Djokovic declined to comment on his GQ interview at a press conference on Friday, stressing that it had been conducted “months” earlier. “I would like to focus on tennis,” he said. Asked about Djokovic's statements, a spokesman for the Australian Department of Home Affairs declined to comment, citing the “confidentiality” of individual cases.