Novak Djokovic’s pre-tournament press conference in Melbourne ended in chaotic style, as he awkwardly batted away questions about his recent claim that he had been “poisoned” during his ill-fated visit here in 2022.

Novak Djokovic made some news before the start of the Australian Open which begins on Jan. 12. Djokovic alleged in a lengthy GQ interview published on Thursday that he was “poisoned” by lead and mercury in his food while he was briefly detained in Melbourne in 2022 before being deported on the eve of the Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis icon, has made shocking revelations, claiming that he was "poisoned" during his quarantine in Australia in January 2022, amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Djokovic was detained after his visa was revoked ahead of the 2022 Australian Open amidst controversy over Australia's COVID-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status,