Novak Djokovic only thinking about tennis after poisoning claim

By Eleanor Crooks, PA Tennis Correspondent, Melbourne

Novak Djokovic refused to elaborate on his claims that he was poisoned while being held in detention in Australia three years ago.

The 10-time Australian Open champion was ultimately deported after entering the country without having been vaccinated against Covid-19.

He was held at the Park Hotel for five days and, in an interview with GQ magazine published on Thursday, Djokovic claimed for the first time publicly that the food he was given there poisoned him.

“I had some health issues,” said the Serbian. “And I realised that in that hotel in Melbourne I was fed some food that poisoned me. I had a really high level of heavy metal, a very high level of lead and mercury.”

An issue that appeared to be in the past has now been thrust into the spotlight again, causing a media storm in Australia.

Two local reporters who had not been selected to ask questions during Djokovic’s press conference on Friday ahead of the Australian Open tried to press him on the matter at the end.

Before leaving the room, the Serbian, who revealed in another interview that he still feels trauma when he enters the country, said: “I’ve done that interview many months ago. I would appreciate not talking more in detail about that as I would like to focus on the tennis and why I’m here.”

 

The Australian Border Force declined to comment publicly on Djokovic’s claims but it is understood the hotel met local food safety standards and that meals provided to detainees were checked.

Nick Kyrgios was one of Djokovic’s biggest supporters during the ordeal and, asked about the new allegations, the Australian said: “I haven’t spoken to him. I didn’t even know that. We treated him like s***, that’s for sure. We shouldn’t have done that.”

The issue threatens to overshadow Djokovic’s first-round match at Melbourne Park on Monday against young American Nishesh Basavareddy, where he will have Andy Murray in his coaching box for the first time.

Djokovic spoke glowingly about his first impressions of the Scot’s coaching abilities, saying: “I’m excited to start the tournament with him.

“He’s daily spending quite a bit of time with other team members, trying to get synchronised with them. So far it has been only a positive experience for me. I’m very pleasantly surprised with his dedication and professionalism, considering he’s never had the experience of working as a tennis coach.

“It comes natural to him. His IQ generally and tennis IQ is very high. He observes and speaks when is most important. I think he understands the moment when he needs to say something and what to say and what to ask.

“I must say at the beginning it was a bit of a strange feeling to be able to share the insights with him, not just about the game but about how I feel about life in general.

“Not in a negative way, but just in a way I have never done that with him because he was always one of my greatest rivals. We were always kind of hiding things from each other.

“Now all cards are open on the table. That’s what he demands. I am 100 per cent supportive of that kind of communication method where you share everything because that’s the best way for him to understand you and to actually help you in whatever way he can.”

Defending champion Jannik Sinner is the favourite for the men’s title, and he addressed the social media campaign against him by Kyrgios following his two failed doping tests last March.

Sinner was cleared of wrongdoing, something Kyrgios has made very clear he does not agree with, but could yet face a ban after an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

“I haven’t done anything wrong,” said Sinner. “That’s why I’m still here. That’s why I’m still playing. I don’t want to respond on what Nick said or what other players say.”

Sinner remains in the dark about when the case might be resolved, and he said: “You think about this, of course. I would lie if I would tell you I forget. No, it’s not like this. It’s something what I have with me now already for quite a long time.

“But it is what it is. I’m here trying to prepare for the grand slam. Let’s see how it goes.”