Nick Kyrgios unloads on Australia with a damning five-word statement about Novak Djokovic’s bombshell Covid poisoning claim

Nick Kyrgios has condemned Australia’s treatment of his rival-turned-friend Novak Djokovic. He responded to the Serbian star’s claim that he was poisoned while being held in Melbourne by saying: “We treated him like shit.”

The 24-time Grand Slam champion recently revealed the trauma he continues to experience surrounding his 2022 Melbourne Covid nightmare.

Then-immigration minister Alex Hawke infamously denied Djokovic entry to the country three years ago because he had not been fully vaccinated.

Djokovic was held at Melbourne’s Park Hotel for five days as he challenged the decision before being sent home.

In an interview with GQ Ahead of this year’s Australian Open, he claimed he was positioned at the hotel during his stay.

‘I had some health problems. And I realized that in that hotel in Melbourne I was given food that was poisoning me,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic (pictured playing doubles with Kyrgios at Brisbane International) blamed the food served to him during his captivity for leaving him with high levels of lead and mercury.

‘I made some discoveries when I came back to Serbia. I never told anyone this publicly, but when I discovered I had a very high level of heavy metal. Heavy metal. I was in charge, very high levels of lead and mercury.

When asked if he believed it was the food, Djokovic replied: “That’s the only way.”

Kyrgios was fronting the media at Melbourne Park on Friday when he was asked whether he had asked the former world number 1 about the bomb claim.

“No, I didn’t talk to him about it, I didn’t know that,” the 29-year-old said.

‘We treated him like shit, that’s for sure. We shouldn’t have done that.’

Djokovic claimed the only food he had was provided by the hotel, while claiming his treatment was different from other athletes in quarantine as he was placed in a “kind of prison-like room.”

Djokovic was forced to leave Australia just days before he was set to take the court as defending Australian Open champion.

His detention came after he entered the country unvaccinated during pandemic border restrictions.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is pictured, second from left, being escorted to his flight after the Australian Federal Court upheld a decision to revoke his visa in 2022.

Djokovic also claimed that the Australian government had him deported because they feared he would become a ‘hero’ for the anti-vax movement

Djokovic’s visa had been canceled by the Australian government on grounds of ‘health and good order’, with an appeal against the decision ultimately rejected.

The Serbian star suggested his deportation was due to the Australian government’s fears that he had become a “hero” to the country’s growing anti-vaccination movement at the time.

Kyrgios – who has been invited to face Britain’s Jacob Fearnley in the first round of the Australian Open – then gave his usual outspoken views on doping and his injury battle.

“I feel like this is all tennis has been talking about in recent months,” he said of the doping dramas surrounding Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, over which he has repeatedly criticized the sport.

‘I’ve been tested four times in the last few months, so for me it hasn’t been a problem in my career… I’m not worried at all because I’m really aware of what’s going on with my team, so I I’m confident I’m not accidentally putting anything into my system.

Kyrgios and Djokovic have gone from rivals to friends since the Australian lost the men’s singles final at Wimbledon in 2022.

After allaying fears that another abdominal injury could prevent him from playing in Melbourne, saying “as long as it’s not something like my wrist again I think I can handle it,” he responded to claims that the media was being shut out were from his wrist. practice session on Friday morning as if he and his camp had something to hide.

“It wasn’t actually intended to be a closed session, I think it was a misunderstanding,” he said.

“I didn’t mind the cameras and it creates a bit more atmosphere, and every time I get to play in front of these fans, with so many kids, I think that’s special for me.

“It’s good, my body feels good after today’s session, and I’ll go again later today.”

The Canberran also discussed what was missing from the match during his long absence due to serious wrist and knee injuries.

“For me to be back, it adds a bit of a question mark to what’s going to happen today. I like that. Every time I step on the court, I don’t know if I’m going to be super controversial in a good way or a bad way.

‘Throughout my career it hasn’t always been good, but it has added a lot of excitement to the game. I think it’s important because there are so many good players on the tour now and there aren’t as many contrasting personalities, so I think it’s good that I’m back and playing.”