Tension rose during Novak Djokovic’s pre-Australian Open press conference when the Serbian tennis star was asked about his recent claim that he was “poisoned” three years ago.
The accusation, which resurfaced following an interview Djokovic gave to GQ magazine, dominated the press event’s final moments.
Allegations of Food Contamination
In the GQ interview, Djokovic revealed that, prior to his deportation from Australia in 2022, he had been served food that led to a serious health scare.
He claimed the food contained a “very high level of lead and mercury,” which he believed caused his illness after being detained in a Melbourne hotel.
The story was a headline in the media when it was published on Friday morning.
As he was preparing to leave the press room, an Australian reporter pressed Djokovic on whether he had any proof linking the food to his illness.
Djokovic responded by expressing frustration over the constant questioning.
Refusing to Engage Further
“I did that interview months ago,” Djokovic said.
“I’d appreciate it if we could focus on tennis and why I’m here.”
When the reporter insisted on an answer, Djokovic walked toward the door, offering no further comments.
“If you want to see what I’ve said, you can always refer to the article,” he added, signaling the end of the conversation on the matter.
Health Scare and Heavy Metal Exposure
The claim about poisoning stems from Djokovic’s experience in 2022 when he was denied entry to Australia due to his refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19.
He was detained in a Melbourne hotel for several days and has frequently spoken about the harsh conditions he faced.
In his GQ interview, Djokovic explained that he had been “very sick” after his detainment and had undergone medical tests which revealed abnormally high levels of heavy metals in his system.
He specifically mentioned lead and mercury.
“That’s the only way it could have happened,” Djokovic said when asked if the contamination came from the food served in Australia.
He described it as “like the flu,” which worsened to the point that he required emergency medical attention.
Despite the common occurrence of lead and mercury traces in food, Djokovic’s use of the word “poisoned” has led some to wonder if he believes the food was intentionally tampered with.
Support from Nick Kyrgios
Fellow Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios, who supported Djokovic during his deportation ordeal, also weighed in on the “poisoning” claim.
Kyrgios expressed his disbelief at the treatment Djokovic faced, commenting that Australia had mistreated him.
“We treated him like s***, that’s for sure,” Kyrgios added.
Political Reactions to Djokovic’s Deportation
Djokovic’s deportation became a major political issue in Australia, and the topic was revisited this week when Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticized the actions of the previous federal government.
Albanese particularly condemned the government’s refusal to allow Djokovic to meet with his Orthodox priest while in detention, describing it as “hard to justify.”
Australia’s Official Response
In a statement, the Australian Border Force defended the conditions in the Park Hotel, where Djokovic was detained.
They confirmed that the hotel was licensed and regularly audited for food safety.
They also stated that detainees had a variety of menu options to choose from, including proteins, vegetables, salads, and rice or pasta dishes.
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