Novak Djokovic recently revisited the events surrounding his deportation from Australia three years ago, revealing that he was poisoned while quarantining at a Melbourne hotel. In 2022, the Serbian tennis star was detained and later deported upon arrival in Melbourne due to his unvaccinated status, in a highly controversial case just before the Australian Open.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion did not meet the entry requirements for the country because he lacked vaccination proof. While he had a medical exemption, it was ultimately deemed insufficient. Djokovic was detained at a hotel, and the Immigration Minister canceled his visa, leading to his deportation.
Djokovic recalls food poisoning allegations
Djokovic has now alleged that toxicology tests conducted shortly after his return to Serbia revealed high levels of heavy metals, including lead and mercury, which he attributes to the food he consumed at the Park Hotel during his detention.
“I had a paper with like a hundred items: from toothbrush, toothpaste, water, food, whatever,” the 37-year-old recounted. “And I had to choose, tick the certain boxes, and each of these items carries a certain amount of points, and I had 60 points in total of what I was allowed to receive. So I did that 59 or 60 points, and I gave it to them.”
“When I got home, I had some health issues. And I realized that in that hotel in Melbourne, I was fed with some food that poisoned me,” Djokovic explained. “I never told this to anybody publicly, but I discovered I had really high levels of heavy metals. Heavy metal. I had lead, very high levels of lead and mercury.”
When asked if he believed the food was responsible, Djokovic responded decisively: “That’s the only way. Yeah, (I was) very sick. It was like the flu, just a simple flu. But when days passed, and a simple flu took me down so much, I had an emergency medical team treat me at home. I had that several times and then had to do toxicology [tests].”
Amid the legal battle over his detention, a judge temporarily reinstated Djokovic’s visa and ordered his release. However, the Serbian commented that he remained under surveillance after leaving the hotel. “Honestly, I was in a rented house, and I was followed by police everywhere I went, and I had the helicopter hovering around the centre court where I was training,” he said.
“I was not allowed to access the main locker room. So they had to find an alternative locker room for me to change and take a shower and get me out of the site. So I was kind of like a fugitive there,” Djokovic concluded.
On Thursday morning, Djokovic learned his path at the Australian Open, where he was drawn against 19-year-old Nishesh Basavareddy, a participant in the recent Next Gen ATP Finals.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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