Novak Djokovic has made a startling claim about being poisoned with “lead and mercury” during his stay in Melbourne. This occurred before he was deported from Australia for refusing to take the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the 2022 Australian Open.
As Djokovic prepares to compete for an 11th Australian Open title, he is also aiming for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title and 100 ATP Tour-level titles. While his experiences in Australia have been memorable, they also include some darker moments.
Deported Due to Vaccine Stance
Previously, Djokovic had openly opposed the COVID-19 vaccine, believing it was his right to decide what went into his body. As a result, he was detained in a Melbourne hotel and later deported, preventing him from participating in the Australian Open.
Health Issues After Detention
Upon returning to Serbia, Djokovic discovered a high presence of “heavy metals and mercury” in his body. “I had some health issues. And I realized that in that hotel in Melbourne, I was fed with some food that poisoned me,” he explained. He added, “I had a really high level of lead and mercury.”
A Different Experience in Quarantine
Djokovic described his quarantine situation as a “jail room,” which was unlike the experience of other athletes. He had to fill out a form listing items he could receive, but when he submitted it, he was told that he had been given fewer points than allowed. “I was like, you must be kidding me,” Djokovic said.
Political Motivations Behind Deportation
At 37 years old, Djokovic believes his deportation was politically motivated. “That is the actual reason why I was deported from Australia. It was so political,” he explained. “It had nothing really to do with the vaccine or COVID. The politicians could not stand me being there.”
No Grudges, But Family Feels Differently
Although Djokovic does not hold any personal grudge against the Australian people, his family feels differently. “For me, I am fine. I never held any grudge against the Australian people. On the contrary, a lot of Australian people apologized for how I was treated,” he said. “The government’s changed, and they reinstated my visa. I was very grateful for that.”
Looking Ahead to the Australian Open
Looking ahead, Djokovic will face USA’s Nishesh Basavareddy in the first round of the Australian Open. His most recent ATP Tour-level title came in November 2023 at the ATP Paris Masters, while his latest Grand Slam win was at the US Open against Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic also participated in the Brisbane International but lost to Reilly Opelka in the quarterfinals. For the Australian Open, he will be teaming up with Andy Murray as a coach-player duo.
