Novak Djokovic was ¡°poisoned¡± by the food he ingested while detained during his 2022 Australian Open visa saga, the former world No. 1 told GQ in an interview released on Thursday.
The Serbian 24-time Grand Slam winner had his visa cancelled ahead of the tournament following days of drama over Australia¡¯s COVID-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status, and he was detained in a Melbourne hotel shared with asylum-seekers.
¡°I realized that in that hotel in Melbourne I was fed with some food that poisoned me,¡± said Djokovic, who is known to strictly monitor his diet.
¡°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.¡±
GQ said Australia¡¯s Department of Home Affairs had declined to comment on the matter, citing privacy reasons.
Djokovic told Melbourne¡¯s Herald Sun newspaper this week that he still has trauma from his experiences three years ago and feels stress when arriving at the city¡¯s airport.
The 37-year-old begins his campaign for a record-extending 25th major title at the Australian Open next week.
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