Novak Djokovic will be targeting his 25th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in Melbourne, where he meets American wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy in the first round. However, before Djokovic takes the court in Melbourne, the Serb has dropped some sensational claims of being “poisoned” in the country. The incident dates back to 2022, when he was barred from taking part in the elite tennis tournament and was deported from the country after refusing to take Covid-19 vaccination.
Djokovic had then saw his visa getting revoked and had to spent days in a detention hotel before being asked to leave Australia. Passing details of the situation back then, the former world number one in an interview with GQ magazine made some stunning remarks.
“My stance is exactly the same today as it was a few years ago. I’m not pro-vaccine. I’m not anti-vax. I am pro-freedom to choose what is right for you and your body. So when somebody takes away my right to choose what I should be taking for my body, I don’t think that’s correct,” he said.
After being deported from the country, Djokovic took a private plane to Spain but was forced to change his plans due to stringent vaccination rules in the country. Djokovic’s family, who was then staying in Spain, then flew to Serbia to reunite with the tennis icon. “They (family) had information through lawyers that if I land in Spain, I’ll probably go through the same thing as in Australia,” he said.
However, upon reaching his home country, Djokovic encountered “health issues” and it was discovered that he had high level of heavy metal, which he felt was because of the food he was being served in Australia.
“I had some health issues. And I realized that in that hotel in Melbourne, I was fed with some food that poisoned me,” revealed the tennis player. “I had some discoveries when I came back to Serbia. I never told this to anybody publicly, but discoveries that I had a really high level of heavy metal. I had lead, a very high level of lead and mercury,” he added.
When asked whether he thought his food had been contaminated, Djokovic responded: “That’s the only way.”
Response from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs
As per reports, a representative from Australia’s Department of Home Affairs didn’t comment on specific cases “for privacy reasons.” However, the department mentioned that the Park Hotel, where Djokovic was held, ensures that detainees are served fresh lunch and dinner. It added that all catering staff have undertaken food safety certifications.
Meanwhile, the revelation by Djokovic comes days after he claimed that the episode in Australia back in 2022 had sent him into depression.
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