"I was poisoned," Novak Djokovic reveals shocking incident from Australian Open 2022

Djokovic had a strong stance on COVID-19 vaccination.

Novak Djokovic has won 10 Australian Open titles, the most by any tennis player in the history of this sport. The Serbian has enjoyed tremendous success Down Under and loves playing at the Rod Laver Arena. Whenever he enters Australia, his mind gets focused on the amazing moments and victories he has achieved here.

In 2021, as the world grappled with the devastating impact of a brutal pandemic, life came to a standstill. Gradually, normalcy began to return with the development and distribution of vaccines to combat COVID-19. Tennis resumed at the 2022 Australian Open, but Novak Djokovic adopted a rigid stance against COVID-19 vaccination.

Also Read: Novak Djokovic’s projected path to Australian Open 2025 final

At the time of the incident, the Victorian Government had made it mandatory for all players to either be vaccinated or obtain a medical exemption. Thus, Djokovic was not allowed to participate in the tournament. Three years after the controversial events, Novak Djokovic revealed more details of his detention in Melbourne, describing the challenges and hardships he endured during that time.

Djokovic on the horrors of Australian Open 2022

“I have to be quite frank…The last couple of times I landed in Australia, to go through passport control and immigration – I had a bit of trauma from three years ago. And some traces still stay there when I’m passing passport control, just checking out if someone from the immigration zone is ­approaching,” Djokovic said.

“The person checking my passport – are they going to take me, detain me again, or let me go? I must admit I have that feeling. I don’t hold any resentment, to be honest…I don’t hold a grudge. I came right away the year after … and I won,” the Serbian added.

Djokovic was granted a visa to enter Australia but detained on his entry to the country after the Australian Border Force determined he did not meet the criteria for unvaccinated travelers. However, his Visa was canceled after days of legal drama and he was asked to leave Australia days before the competition started.

“I realised that in that hotel in Melbourne, I was fed with some food that poisoned me,” said Djokovic, who is known to monitor his diet strictly. “I had some discoveries when I came back to Serbia. I never told this to anybody publicly, but discovered that I was, I had a high level of heavy metal. Heavy metal. I had the lead, very high level of lead and mercury,” claimed Djokovic in an interview with the GQ Magzine.

Also Read: List of records Novak Djokovic can break at Australian Open 2025

“A lot of Australian people that I met in Australia the last few years or elsewhere in the world, have come up to me, apologising to me for the treatment I received because they were embarrassed by their government at that point”, thereby the Serbian acknowledging that he holds no grudge against the people of Australia or the country.

“And I think the government’s changed, and they reinstated my visa, and I was very grateful for that. I love being there, and I think my results are a testament to my sensation of playing tennis and just being in that country,” he said. Never met the people that deported me from that country a few years ago. I don’t have a desire to meet with them. If I do one day, that’s fine as well. I’m happy to shake hands and move on,” added the 36-year-old.

The 24-time Grand Slam Champion bounced back in style at the 2023 Australian Open, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final to win his 10th title in Melbourne, reinstating his prowess Down Under. At the 2024 Australian Open, the Serbian fell to eventual winner Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. As the Serbian arrived at the airport, he had not forgotten the scars of 2022.

This year, Djokovic will return with a new dynamic—his former rival, Andy Murray, will join him as coach. The pairing has sparked intrigue, with many wondering how Murray’s insights will influence the Serbian’s approach to his favorite Grand Slam.

For Djokovic, Melbourne remains a stage of redemption and resilience. Despite his past challenges, the 36-year-old has always had a special connection with the tournament, having claimed the Melbourne crown a record ten times.

Though the shadows of 2022 linger, Novak Djokovic remains resolute in his quest to dominate the Australian Open once again. The stakes are high for the Serbian icon as he sets his sights on a record 25th Grand Slam title and his 100th career title. Being the 7th seed, the 10-time AO winner will have his task cut out as he could potentially encounter a blockbuster lineup in the form of Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals, Alexander Zverev in the semis and finally, Jannik Sinner in the finale, should he get there.

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