Djokovic Reveals Health Issues from ‘Poisoned’ Food During 2022 Australian Open

• Novak Djokovic claims he was poisoned with lead and mercury during his 2022 detention in Melbourne.
• The tennis star reveals health issues discovered after his return to Serbia.
• Djokovic is focused on securing his 11th Australian Open title and record-setting 25th Grand Slam.

Novak Djokovic revealed on Thursday that he was “poisoned” by lead and mercury in his food during his brief and troubled stay in Melbourne in 2022, just before being deported on the eve of the Australian Open.

The former world number one had his visa revoked and was eventually expelled from the country after refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19. He was detained in a hotel as he unsuccessfully fought a legal battle to stay in Australia.

EDITOR’S PICKS 

• Polaris Bank’s Initiatives Ensure Continuous Education for Over 16,000 Students
• Verydarkman Pranks Nigerians: No N180 Missing From NGO Funds
• Why I Faked Missing N180m — VeryDarkMan

“I had some health issues. And I realized that while I was in that hotel in Melbourne, I was fed some food that poisoned me,” Djokovic shared in an extensive interview with GQ magazine.

“I made some discoveries when I returned to Serbia. I never said this publicly, but I found that I had a very high level of heavy metals. I had lead and mercury.”

When asked if he believed his food had been contaminated, the 37-year-old answered, “That’s the only explanation.”

GQ reached out to Australia’s Department of Home Affairs for a comment but was told they couldn’t provide a response due to privacy reasons.

Djokovic will be aiming for his 11th Australian Open title and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam victory when the tournament begins on Sunday.

Despite the controversy of 2022, he insists that he holds “no grudge against the Australian people.” In fact, he returned to Melbourne the following year and clinched the title.

“A lot of Australian people that I meet in Australia the last few years or elsewhere in the world, have come up to me, apologising to me for the treatment I received because they were embarrassed by their own government at that point,” he said.

FURTHER READING

• Why We Must Increase Call, Data Tariffs In 2025 – Telecoms Operators
• 19 Year old Arraigned in Kaduna for Allegedly Stabbing Uncle
• Diversify or Face Poverty: Abbas Calls for Economic Shift

“And I think the government’s changed, and they reinstated my visa, and I was very grateful for that.