Novak Djokovic is speaking out about how he believes he got food poisoning during his 2022 detention in Melbourne, Australia. In a new February 2025 cover interview with GQ published Thursday, Jan. 9, the professional tennis player opened up about getting detained during the Australian Open due to not being vaccinated against COVID-19.

Jannik Sinner will open his campaign against Nicholas Jarry, and Novak Djokovic will face Indian-origin American player Nishesh Basavareddy in his opener.

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.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner and 10-time Australian Open winner Novak Djokovic have landed in opposite sides of the draw for the season’s first major, ruling out a replay of last year’s semifinal encounter.

Novak Djokovic launches his latest bid for a record-extending 11th Australian Open title against US wildcard Nishesh Basavareddy.

Novak Djokovic has revealed his father is putting pressure on him to retire from tennis as the 2025 Australian Open rapidly approaches. The Serb, who failed to win a major in 2024, will be hoping to secure glory Down Under - having previously done so on 10 occasions over the years.

Here are some of the top men at the Australian Open, which starts at Melbourne Park on Sunday morning local time (Saturday night EST), with money-line odds via BetMGM Sportsbook: Jannik Sinner Seeding: 1 Career-Best Ranking: 1 Country: Italy Age: 23 2024 Record: 73-6 2024 Titles: 8 Career Titles: 18 Grand Slam Titles: 2 — Australian Open (1: 2024),