Novak Djokovic’s pre-Australian Open press convention descended into acrimony as he refused to reply questions on his assertion that he was ‘poisoned’ right here three years in the past.
Melbourne awoke on Friday to an interview Djokovic had achieved with GQ journal, through which he claimed that the meals he had been given previous to his deportation in 2022 had left him with a ‘very excessive stage of lead and mercury’.
The difficulty was not raised throughout the primary physique of his press-conference however simply as he was about to depart the room an Australian reporter demanded to know whether or not he had any proof that his sickness was brought on by the meals he was served whereas in detention.
‘The GQ article got here out on-line yesterday,’ stated Djokovic. ‘I’ve achieved that interview many months in the past. I might recognize not speaking extra intimately about that, as I wish to concentrate on the tennis and why I am right here.
‘If you wish to see what I’ve stated and get extra information on that, you possibly can at all times revert to the article.’
A tv reporter shouted out, demanding that Djokovic tackle what’s changing into an enormous matter in Australia, however the 38-year-old was already strolling in direction of the door.
Novak Djokovic made the shock claims that he was ‘poisoned’ whereas in Australia again in 2022
Djokovic not too long ago revealed he nonetheless feels ‘trauma’ when he visits Melbourne after his deportation
He’s set to compete at his first grand slam in partnership along with his new coach Andy Murray
In 2022 Djokovic was denied entry to Australia to compete within the Open as a result of he was not vaccinated in opposition to Covid 19. He was detained for a number of days and has usually complained concerning the circumstances through which he was stored.
Djokovic mentioned that point throughout his GQ interview, saying: ‘Once I acquired dwelling, I had some well being points. And I spotted in that lodge in Melbourne I used to be fed with some meals that poisoned me.
‘I by no means instructed this to anybody publicly however I found that I had a extremely excessive stage of heavy steel, very excessive stage of lead and mercury.’
Requested if that had come from the meals he was given in Australia, he replied: ‘That’s the one means.
‘I used to be very sick. It was just like the flu however when it was days after {that a} easy flu took me down a lot, I had an emergency medical group deal with me at dwelling and I needed to do toxicology assessments.’
It isn’t unusual for meals to be contaminated by traces of lead and mercury however till Djokovic takes the chance to make clear his level – a possibility he was afforded on Friday – using the phrase ‘poisoned’ might recommend he believes his meals was intentionally tampered with.
Nick Kyrgios has fashioned an in depth bond with Djokovic ever since backing him throughout the deportation saga, and the Aussie as soon as once more got here to his good friend’s defence.
Requested if he had spoken to Djokovic concerning the ‘poison’ declare, Kyrgios replied: ‘I have never spoken to him. I did not even know. We (Australia) handled him like s***, that is for positive. We should not have achieved that.’
Djokovic was detained for a number of days in 2022 as he was not vaccinated in opposition to Covid-19
Fellow tennis star Nick Kyrgios has been overtly crucial of Djokovic’s remedy in 2022
Djokovic’s deportation in 2022 turned a vastly political difficulty, and earlier this week Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese criticised the previous federal authorities’s dealing with of the case.
‘I discovered it astonishing that within the lead-up to Christmas, Novak Djokovic was denied by the then-federal authorities the chance to see his Orthodox minister, priest throughout that interval,’ he stated. ‘That was one thing that I believe was arduous to justify.’
A press release from the Australian Border Power stated: ‘The Park Resort (the place Djokovic was detained) was licensed and licenced by Metropolis of Melbourne as a meals service premises and have been topic to auditing and inspection by the Division Well being. All workers within the catering group had undertaken meals security certifications.
‘Menu choices have been offered to permit detainees to choose between varied proteins, greens, salad and rice and pasta dishes.’
