Novak Djokovic, a tennis legend and 10-time Australian Open champion, made headlines recently after revisiting his controversial deportation saga from Australia in 2022. In an interview with GQ magazine, Djokovic alleged that he was “poisoned” while detained in Melbourne, citing elevated levels of lead and mercury in his system.
During a press conference ahead of the 2023 Australian Open, Djokovic declined to delve further into the claims, stating, “I would appreciate not talking more in detail about that, as I would like to focus on the tennis and why I’m here.” He referred reporters to his GQ interview and promptly exited the session.
In the interview, Djokovic explained his suspicions, revealing that after returning to Serbia, he discovered alarming levels of heavy metals in his blood, which he attributed to food served during his detention. “That’s the only way,” he asserted.
The incident adds to the political controversy surrounding Djokovic’s deportation, which stemmed from his unvaccinated status during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Serbian star believes his expulsion was politically motivated. Despite the turbulence, Djokovic is determined to put the past behind him and focus on securing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
Fellow tennis star Nick Kyrgios publicly supported Djokovic, criticizing Australia’s handling of the situation: “We treated him like s***, that’s for sure. We shouldn’t have done that.”
For now, Djokovic’s sights are firmly set on his on-court goals, leaving lingering questions about his claims unanswered.
FAQs:
- What did Novak Djokovic claim in the GQ interview?
Djokovic alleged that he was “poisoned” through food served during his detention in Melbourne in 2022, which resulted in elevated levels of lead and mercury in his blood. - Why was Djokovic deported from Australia in 2022?
Djokovic was deported due to his unvaccinated status against COVID-19, with the Australian government canceling his visa on public health grounds. - Did Djokovic provide evidence for his poisoning claim?
Djokovic has not provided detailed evidence but has pointed to his medical findings after returning to Serbia. - What has been the response to Djokovic’s allegations?
Responses have ranged from public support by Nick Kyrgios to skepticism from experts, who find the claim unlikely given his brief detention. - What is Djokovic’s focus now?
Djokovic has emphasized his desire to focus on tennis and his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title.
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