Novak Djokovic claimed to have been “poisoned” while in quarantine in Australia in January 2022.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was detained three years ago after admitting to having made a false declaration on a travel document before the Australian Open.
He was later deported after his visa was cancelled, but spent time in a hotel in Melbourne while a A complex legal saga unfolded.
And upon his return to Serbia, Djokovic suggested medical tests had shown high levels of lead in his body, with the 37-year-old believing he must have ingested the metal in his food.
“I had health problems,” Djokovic revealed in an interview with GQ. “And I realized that in this hotel in Melbourne I was being fed food that was poisoning me.
“I made some discoveries on my return to Serbia. I never told anyone publicly, but (it was discovered) that I had a very high level of heavy metal. A very high level of lead and mercury.
Asked by the magazine if it came from food, the former world number 1 replied: “It’s the only way.”
“It was like the flu, just a regular flu,” he added. “But a few days later, a simple flu made me so depressed. I had that a few times and then I had to do toxicology (tests).
The tournament in Australia was one of two grand slams that Djokovic missed in 2022, also being unable to participate in the US Open due to his decision not to get vaccinated against Covid.
He returned to Melbourne a year later to win his 10th title, although he was had a difficult draw this year as he attempts to surpass Margaret Court’s total of major singles titles and win the record.
