Novak Djokovic Claims He Was Poisoned During 2022 Australian Open Detention.
As Novak Djokovic prepares to compete in the 2025 Australian Open, his name is making headlines for an unexpected reason. During a recent conversation with GQ, the tennis superstar revealed a startling claim about his experience in Melbourne during the 2022 Australian Open detention. Djokovic alleged that he was "poisoned" by the food he was served at the hotel where he was held after his visa was revoked by the Australian Border Force.
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is making headlines ahead of the 2025 Australian Open, but not just for his tennis skills. In a recent interview with GQ, the Serbian tennis star revealed a startling claim about his 2022 detention in Melbourne, alleging that he was "poisoned" by the food served to him while being held at an immigration facility. This shocking revelation has raised questions about the conditions Djokovic faced during his time in Australia and the toll it took on his health. In this article, we delve into Djokovic’s statements, the emotional impact of his experience, and what it means for his upcoming return to the Australian Open.
The 2022 Australian Open Controversy
When Djokovic arrived in Melbourne for the 2022 Australian Open, his visa was revoked due to his non-compliance with Australia’s strict COVID-19 vaccination requirements. Despite presenting a medical exemption, officials questioned its validity, leading to Djokovic's detention in a hotel and eventual deportation. His deportation caused him to miss the prestigious tournament.
Djokovic's Shocking Claim: "Poisoned" by Hotel Food
In his recent GQ interview, Djokovic discussed his time in the immigration facility, where he claimed the food served to him made him feel “poisoned.” “I realised that in that hotel in Melbourne I was fed with some food that poisoned me,” he shared. This claim raises questions about the conditions in the detention facility and whether the food provided could have caused health issues.
Health Issues Following Detention
Djokovic went on to explain that upon returning to Serbia, he discovered a concerning health issue. “I had some discoveries when I came back to Serbia. I never told this to anybody publicly, but discoveries that I was, I had a really high level of heavy metal. Heavy metal. I had the lead, very high level of lead and mercury.” He further elaborated on the severity of his illness, recalling, “Yeah, very sick. It was like the flu, just a simple flu. But when it was days after that a simple flu took me down so much.”
This revelation has left fans and the public wondering if there was a connection between the food he consumed in the hotel and his elevated levels of heavy metals, such as lead and mercury.
The Department of Home Affairs Responds
When approached about Djokovic's claims, the Department of Home Affairs chose not to comment, citing privacy concerns. This lack of response only fueled the speculation surrounding Djokovic’s statements, leaving many questions unanswered.
Emotional Impact and Trauma from Immigration Experience
As Djokovic looks forward to competing in the 2025 Australian Open, he acknowledged that his past experience still lingers in his mind. “The last couple of times that I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration — I had a bit of trauma from three years ago,” Djokovic admitted. “And some traces still stay there when I'm passing passport control, just checking out if someone from immigration zone is approaching. The person checking my passport — are they going to take me, detain me again or let me go? I must admit I have that feeling.”
Despite this emotional impact, Djokovic made it clear that he holds “no resentment” towards the country, indicating a desire to move forward and focus on his upcoming competition.
As Djokovic prepares for his return to the Australian Open, his statements about his previous experiences in Melbourne add a new layer of complexity to his relationship with the country. While Djokovic remains focused on his career and future successes, the trauma and health issues he described will likely continue to shape his journey.
The 2025 Australian Open is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for Djokovic, and his past experiences in Australia will undoubtedly be a key part of his story as he continues to compete at the highest level.
Novak with wife Jelena (@djokernole Instagram)
