Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic cannot forget the dark moments he endured in January 2022, when his arrival in Australia for the Australian Open turned into a nightmare. Beyond the controversy surrounding his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which led to his detention and subsequent deportation, Djokovic has now shared alarming details: he claims to have been poisoned at a hotel in Melbourne.

The Mysterious Poisoned Meal

The year 2022 was a turbulent one for Djokovic, marked not only by legal battles and his opposition to Australia's health restrictions but also by an even more disturbing incident. In an interview with GQ, the tennis star revealed that during his stay at the hotel where he was detained by Australian authorities, he consumed food that was allegedly poisoned. "When I got to Serbia, I realized I had eaten something containing heavy metals like lead and mercury," said Djokovic, who suffered serious health problems after his return home.

The Serbian athlete admitted that he chose not to publicize the issue at the time but later underwent toxicology tests, which confirmed high levels of these metals in his system. "I felt very sick, as if I had the flu, but much worse. It was something that affected me for days," he recounted.

The Infamous Hotel

The facility where Djokovic was held during his stay in Melbourne was The Park Hotel, infamous for its poor reputation. At this hotel, where the tennis player spent his time in confinement, he claims to have been subjected to gross negligence. Not only was he kept in subpar conditions, but the food provided to him, according to Djokovic, contributed to his physical decline. The Serbian’s family, including his mother Dijana Djokovic, also criticized the accommodations, describing them as "horrible" and "filthy."

An Experience That Left Scars

Although Australian authorities have not commented publicly on Djokovic's allegations, the player stated that after enduring symptoms akin to what he described as a "severe flu," he decided to undergo medical tests. The results confirmed the presence of heavy metals in his body, forcing the Serbian to navigate one of the toughest periods of his career.

In press conferences ahead of the 2025 Australian Open, Djokovic declined to elaborate further on the incident, stating that he prefers to focus on tennis. "Anyone who wants to know more about my experience can read the interview," said the Serbian, who is pushing forward with his career despite the painful memory.

The Traumatic Legacy of His Deportation

 Djokovic's nightmare in Australia not only included the poisoning allegations but also a traumatic experience with immigration authorities, culminating in his deportation just hours before the 2022 Australian Open. Australian officials denied him entry into the country for failing to meet health requirements, leading to a protracted legal battle and a three-year ban from entering the country. This sanction was eventually overturned in November 2022.