Novak Djokovic says he wants to "focus on tennis" after claiming in a magazine interview he had been "poisoned" when detained in a Melbourne hotel.

Novak Djokovic was "poisoned" by the food he ingested while detained during his 2022 Australian Open visa saga, the former world number one told GQ in an interview released on Thursday. The Serbian 24-times major winner had his visa cancelled ahead of the tournament following days of drama over Australia's COVID-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status,

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 Djokovic was detained after his visa was revoked ahead of the 2022 Australian Open amidst controversy over Australia's COVID-19 entry rules and his unvaccinated status,

The 24-time grand slam champion spent time in quarantine after admitting to making a false statement on a travel document in 2022