Djokovic claims he was poisoned. Shocking allegations after he was detained in Melbourne in 2022

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Serbian Novak Djokovic said, in an interview published Thursday in GQ, that he was “poisoned” with the food he ingested while detained in Melbourne in 2022, reports Reuters.

Djokovic had his visa canceled before the tournament, following some dramatic days related to the rules for entering Australia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and given his unvaccinated status. The Serb was detained in a Melbourne hotel where asylum seekers were staying.

“I realized that in that hotel in Melbourne I was fed some food that poisoned me,” said Djokovic, who is known to strictly monitor his diet. “I discovered some things when I came back to Serbia. I didn’t tell anyone this publicly, but it was found that I had very high levels of heavy metals. Heavy metals. I had lead, very high levels of lead and mercury.”

GQ stated that Australia’s Department of Home Affairs declined to comment on the matter, citing confidentiality reasons.

Djokovic told the Herald Sun this week that he was still traumatized by the experience three years ago and felt stressed upon arriving at the city’s airport.

Novak Djokovic, 37, begins his campaign for a record 25th major title at the Australian Open next week.