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 today 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.”