Djokovic Alleges Food Poisoning During Australian Detention Due to High Lead and Mercury Levels
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New Delhi, Jan 10 (NationPress) Serbian tennis champion Novak Djokovic has claimed that he was served food that "poisoned" him during his detention amidst the 2022 Australian Open visa controversy, just before he was deported on the eve of the year's first major tournament.
The 24-time major title holder faced visa cancellation ahead of the 2022 Australian Open due to Australia’s Covid-19 entry regulations and his unvaccinated status. Initially granted a visa exemption, it was later revoked by the Australian Border Force, leading to his detention in a Melbourne hotel alongside asylum seekers.
"I realized that in that hotel in Melbourne, I was served some food that poisoned me. I made some discoveries upon returning to Serbia. I never disclosed this publicly... I had an extremely high level of heavy metals. I found lead and mercury at very high levels," Djokovic revealed during an interview with GQ.
Despite the 2022 incident, the Serbian tennis star stated that he holds no resentment towards the Australian populace. A year later, he returned to Melbourne and secured the title.
"Many Australians I encountered in the last few years or elsewhere globally have approached me, expressing their apologies for how I was treated as they felt embarrassed by their government’s actions at that time,” he mentioned.
“I believe the government has changed, and they reinstated my visa, for which I am very thankful. I truly enjoy being there, and my results reflect my positive feelings about playing tennis in that country," he added.
"I have never met the individuals who deported me from that country a few years back. I don’t have any desire to meet them. However, if that occurs someday, I am open to shaking hands and moving forward," he concluded.
Nonetheless, Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley declined to address Djokovic's assertions, as reported by ABC News.
"I am not going to respond to that question. I simply won’t engage. It happened three years ago. Our focus is on delivering an outstanding event," Tiley stated to reporters on Friday.
The 37-year-old Djokovic is set to commence his quest for a record-extending 25th major title at the Australian Open next week.
