Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic recently revealed that he was allegedly “poisoned” during his short stay in Melbourne back in 2022 amid the COVID-19 controversy. 

 

Djokovic's claims refer to the time in January 2022 when he was deported from Australia for not being vaccinated against COVID-19. Upon his arrival in Melbourne for the Australian Open, he was detained after his vaccination status was questioned, and his visa was cancelled. The Serbian tennis star fought a legal battle but was ultimately unsuccessful and was sent back to his home country.

 

"I had some health issues, and I realised that in that hotel in Melbourne, I was fed some food that poisoned me," Djokovic said in an interview with GQ magazine.

 

"I had a really high level of lead and mercury," he added, revealing this publicly for the first time.

 

In 2022, the Australian government had strict COVID-19 rules, prohibiting anyone unvaccinated, regardless of their status, from entering the country.

 

Djokovic returned to Melbourne the following year and won the tournament. He has won 10 of his 24 Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open.

 

Despite the controversy, Djokovic holds no ill will toward the Australian people. "A lot of Australians I met, either in Australia or around the world, came up to me and apologised for the way I was treated. They were embarrassed by their government's actions," he said.

 

At the 2025 Australian Open, Djokovic will begin his campaign against Indian-origin American teenager Nishesh Basavareddy. He could face No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, with a potential semifinal match against No. 2 Alexander Zverev.

 

Djokovic will also be working with a new coach, former rival and Grand Slam winner Andy Murray.