Djokovic claims he was ‘poisoned’ before 2022 Australian Open deportation — Sport — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

Novak Djokovic has claimed that he was “poisoned” by lead and mercury in his meals whereas he was briefly held in Melbourne in 2022 earlier than being deported on the eve of the Australian Open.

The previous world primary had his visa cancelled and was finally kicked overseas over his refusal to be vaccinated towards Covid.

He was held in a detention lodge as he fought a fruitless authorized battle to stay.

“I had some well being points. And I realised that in that lodge in Melbourne I used to be fed some meals that poisoned me,” the 37-year-old Djokovic advised GQ journal in a prolonged interview printed Thursday.

“I had some discoveries after I got here again to Serbia. I by no means advised this to anyone publicly, however discoveries that I had a very excessive degree of heavy metallic. I had lead, a really excessive degree of lead and mercury.”

When requested if he believed his meals was contaminated, the Serb replied: “That’s the one method.”

Djokovic refused to elaborate on Friday in Melbourne when requested if he had any proof that his excessive heavy metallic blood ranges have been linked to the meals he was given.

However he didn’t again down from the poisoning allegations.

“The GQ article got here out yesterday … I’ve completed that interview many months in the past,” Djokovic mentioned as he was getting ready for a tilt at an eleventh Australian Open title and twenty fifth Grand Slam crown.

“I might admire not speaking extra intimately about that as a result of I’d wish to concentrate on the tennis and why I’m right here.

“If you wish to see what I’ve mentioned and get extra data on that, you may at all times revert to the article.”

A spokesperson for Australia’s Division of Dwelling Affairs mentioned it couldn’t touch upon particular person instances “for privateness causes”.

However the authorities says a lease settlement with the Park Lodge the place he was held supplies for freshly cooked, individually portioned lunches and dinners for detainees.

– No grudge –

All catering employees have undertaken meals security certifications, it says.

And, as of December 31, 2021, the lodge had been offering samples of the meals supplied to detainees at every meal to the contractor liable for detention companies.

Australia says detainees had entry to a wide range of foods and drinks that was nutritious, culturally applicable and glad particular medical or dietary necessities.

They have been additionally provided breakfast objects resembling bread, cereal, noodles, tea and occasional at any time of the day or evening.

Djokovic insisted that he doesn’t maintain “any grudge over the Australian individuals” regardless of the 2022 controversy. A 12 months later, he returned to Melbourne the place he swept to the title.

“Numerous Australian those who I meet in Australia the previous few years or elsewhere on the planet, have come as much as me, apologising to me for the remedy I obtained as a result of they have been embarrassed by their very own authorities at that time,” he mentioned within the GQ article.

“And I feel the federal government’s modified, they usually reinstated my visa, and I used to be very grateful for that.

“I truly love being there, and I feel my outcomes are a testomony to my sensation of enjoying tennis and simply being in that nation.”

Nevertheless, he added: “By no means met the those who deported me from that nation just a few years in the past. I don’t have a need to fulfill with them. If I do sooner or later, that’s superb as properly. I’m completely satisfied to shake arms and transfer on.”