Novak Djokovic: Ten-time champion rejects questions about claims of poisoning at Australian Open 2022 | Tennis news
Novak Djokovic has refused to clarify his claims that he was poisoned while in custody in Australia three years ago.
The 10-time Australian Open winner was eventually deported after entering the country without a Covid-19 vaccination.
He stayed at the Park Hotel for five days, and in an interview with GQ magazine published on Thursday, Đoković publicly stated for the first time that the food they received there had poisoned him.
I had some health problems, said the Serb. “And I realized that in that hotel in Melbourne I had been fed some food that was poisoning me. I had really high levels of heavy metals, very high levels of lead and mercury.”
An issue that seemed to be a thing of the past has now been thrust back into the spotlight, causing a media firestorm in Australia.
Two local reporters who were not selected to ask questions during Djokovic’s press conference on Friday ahead of the Australian Open tried to press him about it at the end.
Before leaving the room, the 37-year-old 24-time Grand Slam champion, who revealed in another interview that he still feels the trauma of entering the country, said: “I did that interview many months ago. I would appreciate it if I’m talking about it in more detail because I’d like to focus on tennis and why I’m here.”
The Australian Border Force has declined to comment publicly on Djokovic’s claims, but it is understood the hotel met local food safety standards and that meals given to inmates were checked.
Kyrgios: We treated him like a jerk
Nick Kyrgios has been one of Djokovic’s biggest supporters during his ordeal, and when asked about the new allegations, the Australian said: “I haven’t spoken to him. I didn’t even know that. We treated him like f***, that’s certainly not what we should have done. “
Djokovic was ‘surprised’ by Murray’s dedication and professionalism
The question 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 enthusiastically about his first impressions of the Scot’s coaching abilities, saying: “I’m excited to start the tournament with him.
“He spends a lot of time every day with the other team members, trying to harmonize with them. For now, it’s only a positive experience for me. I’m very pleasantly surprised by his dedication and professionalism, considering that he’s never had the experience of working as a tennis coach.
“It’s natural for him. His IQ in general and his tennis IQ is very high. He observes and speaks when it’s most important. I think he understands when to say something and what to say and what to ask.
“I have to say it was a bit of a strange feeling at first to be able to share 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 that I never did that with him because he was always one of my biggest rivals. We always kind of hid things from each other.
“Now all the cards are open on the table. That’s what he’s looking for. I 100 percent support that kind of communication where you share everything because that’s the best way for him to understand you and actually help you in any way he can.”
Sinner: I don’t want to respond to what Kyrgios said
Defending champion Jannik Sinner is the favorite for the men’s title and has hit back at Kyrgios’ social media campaign against him following his two failed doping tests last March.
Sinner was acquitted, something Kyrgios has made very clear he does not agree with, but could still face a ban following an appeal by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
“I didn’t do anything wrong,” Sinner said. “That’s why I’m still here. That’s why I’m still playing. I don’t want to respond to what Nick said or what other players say.”
Sinner remains in the dark about when the case might be solved, saying: “Think about this, of course. I’d be lying if I told you I forgot. No, it’s not like this. It’s something that’s been with me for quite some time now .
“But it is what it is. I’m here trying to prepare for the Grand Slam. Let’s see how it goes.”
What’s coming up on Sky Sports Tennis?
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