Excitement before the Australian Open: Novak Djokovic – heavy metal in his blood

Him again. Shortly before the start of the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tournament of the 2025 tennis season, Novak Djokovic is once again dominating the headlines. As was the case three years ago when he was excluded, as was the case two years ago when he returned. And like last summer.

Late summer 2024. Novak Djokovic has just won the Olympic gold medal. In the final against his legitimate successor Carlos Alcaraz, with a performance that hardly anyone believed he could achieve. In those days after the total triumph, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, arguably the best tennis player in history, gives a long, personal interview to GQ magazine. Djokovic appears to be in a great mood, the conversation revolves around God and the world.

The magic number 25 is also a topic in the interview. The author asks at which tournament Djokovic has the best chance of winning his 25th Grand Slam title? The answer is easy: of course at the Australian Open, his favorite tournament. His name has already been engraved on the winner’s trophy ten times. But it is not a given that Djokovic still enjoys traveling to Australia after the deportation hiccup in January 2022. Djokovic is also asked about this by the GQ interviewer.

In or out

At that time, Australia had one of the toughest entry regulations in the world in the context of the pandemic. The Australian population had had to endure strict lockdowns in the previous months. The tennis professionals who now wanted to enter the Australian Open had to present proof of vaccination or a medical exemption. Novak Djokovic had neither one nor the other in his tennis bag when he traveled to Melbourne. Nevertheless, he was sure that he would be allowed to enter. His argument: Sick and recovered.

But Djokovic did the math without the Australian government, which wanted to set an example. He was denied entry on site and the superstar had to spend several days in a deportation hotel while lawyers and judges argued about what would happen next. In the end, his appeal was unsuccessful and Djokovic was expelled from the country.

Poisoned food

So far, so known. What is new, however, is what follows: Djokovic tells the GQ interviewer that his food in the deportation hotel was poisoned. Literally: “I had some health problems (afterwards). And I realized that in this hotel in Melbourne I was served food that poisoned me.“When he returned, blood tests showed high levels of heavy metals.

At this point it is important to emphasize that Djokovic explicitly did NOT claim in the interview that he was poisoned by the Australian government or anyone else, as has been read in some media. Rather, from his point of view, the food did not meet the highest health standards. Djokovic has always paid close attention to what he eats and often speaks about it in public.

Djokovic himself was obviously uncomfortable with the timing of the publication of this interview, now shortly before the Australian Open, including the allegations made in it. In his press conference before the tournament, Djokovic didn’t want to talk about the topic anymore: “I gave the interview many months ago and I would be grateful not to go into more detail about it. I want to focus on tennis.“

Ticked off and moving on

The fans in Melbourne have long since made peace with Djokovic anyway. Djokovic came back as early as 2023, when the entry regulations were lifted. There were no whistles against the Serb, who promptly won the tournament. In the GQ interview, Djokovic also emphasized that he no longer holds any grudge against those responsible, unlike his wife and family. Australians very often approached him to apologize for the treatment in January 2022. “I have completely ticked off the topic. I no longer met the people who were responsible for my deportation. I don’t have to meet them anymore, but I also have no problem if I see someone from back then again at some point. We then shake hands and can continue.“

In these days before the start of the 2025 tournament, Djokovic is in his best mood in Melbourne. In the Rod Laver Arena he played an exhibition match against Alexander Zverev. His training sessions with new coach Andy Murray attracted a lot of attention. His casualness didn’t look fake. Djokovic has long taken on the role of elder statesman off the court.

Nick Kyrgios, who has become something of a best friend for Djokovic in the last few months, also jumps to his side in his usual direct manner. “I didn’t know about these allegations. But I stand by it: We treated him like dirt back then. We shouldn’t have done that.”