Novak Djokovic faces strange and weird as mystery surrounding his life entirely and influences amidst huge controversies due to…
Novak Djokovic
At 37, Novak Djokovic remains one of the most successful men’s tennis players of all time — yet in recent years a swirl of strange, mysterious and controversial episodes has increasingly cast shadows over both his public image and his personal narrative. From health-claims and political statements, to broadcast feuds and distrust of the sport’s integrity mechanisms, Djokovic finds himself at the intersection of tennis greatness and growing public scepticism.
In this article we explore the tangled mix of achievements, claims and controversies that define Djokovic’s current chapter — a time when his life, views and career all feel somewhat anomalous compared to the earlier “untouchable” era.
1. The Tennis Legend and His Unrivalled Record
Djokovic’s on-court credentials remain extraordinary. He has amassed 24 (or more) Grand Slam singles titles, frequently held the world No. 1 ranking and broken countless records. For example, the 2024 Wimbledon final saw him beaten in straight sets by Carlos Alcaraz, 6–2, 6–2, 7–6, a result that still underlines how even the greatest can be challenged. Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2
Yet, his dominance now appears more contested — younger rivals, changing conditions, and external distractions all play a role.
The paradox: On the one hand, he is the GOAT-contender, on the other his public narrative is becoming increasingly fraught.
2. The “Poisoning” Claim and Melbourne Trauma
One of the most unsettling revelations of the last year: Djokovic claimed that during his detention in Melbourne in early 2022 — when his visa was cancelled on Australia’s COVID-19 entry rules — he was fed food that poisoned him. According to interviews with GQ, he discovered elevated levels of heavy metals (lead and mercury) in his system upon returning to Serbia. Reuters+2The Peninsula Newspaper+2
He said:
“I realised that in that hotel in Melbourne I was fed with some food that poisoned me.” Reuters+1
He also admitted to lingering “trauma” when passing through passport control in Australia. global.ariseplay.com
This claim triggered questions:
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Was it a factual poisoning or a metaphorical way to describe the stress and conditions?
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Why raise the heavy-metal levels in a public way now?
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How will this affect his relationship with the Australian Open and travel dynamics going forward?
In the broader sense it adds a layer of mystery and intensity to Djokovic’s story: He’s not just fighting opponents on court, but feeling he’s fighting wider forces too.
3. Trust in Anti-Doping Institutions — and His Public Critique
In February 2025 Djokovic publicly criticised the World Anti‑Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), asserting that many players believed there was “favouritism” in how doping cases were handled. AP News+1
He pointed specifically to the case of Jannik Sinner:
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Sinner served just a three-month ban for two positive tests of clostebol. Wikipedia+1
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Djokovic argued that this appeared lenient compared to other cases (such as those of Simona Halep and Tara Moore) and suggested that star status and access to legal resources boost leniency. New York Post+1
This adds to the narrative of Djokovic not just as a player, but as a sceptic of the system — willing to speak out. The “mystery” here is two-fold: what he believes about the sport’s institutions, and how much of that reflects broader truths vs. personal viewpoint.
4. Broadcast Feud and Media Friction in Australia
Djokovic’s relationship with Australian broadcasters and media came under strain during the 2025 Australian Open. Broadcaster Tony Jones of Australia’s Channel 9 referred to Djokovic on live television as “overrated” and a “has-been”, stirring outrage among Djokovic’s camp and Serbian fans. People.com+1
Djokovic responded by refusing an on-court interview and boycotting Channel 9’s coverage until a public apology was issued — which it was. The Guardian
This episode highlights:
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His sensitivity to how he is portrayed by media
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The persistent tension between his global superstar status and regional media perceptions
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A sense of being under attack, or feeling like an outsider even at the tournaments where he has long dominated
5. Political Statements & National Identity
Djokovic has never shied away from making statements with political undertones. For instance, at the 2023 French Open he wrote on a court-side camera “Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence.” in Serbian — a move that drew criticism from the Kosovo Tennis Federation. 397news.com
That act — and his broader association with Serbian nationalism — adds complexity: to many he is more than an athlete, he is a symbol of his country. To others, these moves complicate his image as a purely sport-focused figure.
This blend of sport, politics and identity contributes to the “weirdness” around his personal narrative: not just a tennis player, but a national icon, a political flashpoint, a brand, and a challenger to established structures.
6. Changing Court Fortunes & Emerging Questions
While Djokovic remains an elite player, recent years have ushered in more notable defeats and changing dynamics. His loss at Wimbledon 2024 to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets (6–2, 6–2, 7–6) was a wake-up call of sorts. Wikipedia+1
Off-court, he has also faced injuries, a dense schedule, and the shifting sands of the next-generation challengers (Sinner, Alcaraz, etc). Add to that:
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His claims of being poisoned
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The trauma he carries from Melbourne
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The distrust of sport institutions
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Media friction
and one sees a different human being than the near-untouchable Djokovic of earlier eras.
The “mystery” is partly in his motivation now: When you’ve achieved everything, what drives you next? How do these external controversies affect your internal psyche? Commentators and fans are increasingly asking:
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Is he still the same fierce competitor?
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Is he distracted by so many off-court matters?
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Is his public persona shifting from hero to polarising figure?
7. Lifestyle, Beliefs, and Persona
Aside from controversies, Djokovic is widely known for his particular lifestyle and beliefs: his diet, his wellness routines, and his sometimes esoteric health views. While this was always part of his brand, now it contributes to a “weirdness” factor in public perception — especially when combined with the heavy-metal claims or his stance on anti-doping agencies and the media.
Some fans see this as an embodiment of self-control and discipline; others view it as eccentric or contrarian. The tension between reverence for his athletic feats and suspicion of his other beliefs is growing.
8. Influence, Legacy and the Social Climate
Djokovic’s influence extends far beyond tennis. He is a global figure: an ambassador, brand-icon, philanthropist. But in the current climate — where athletes are expected to have “clean records”, transparent relationships and minimal drama — Djokovic’s complexities stand out.
His legacy is sure: one of the greatest ever. Yet his current narrative raises questions:
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How will this phase of his career be remembered?
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Will the controversies overshadow achievements, or will they blend into the mythos of a complicated champion?
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Will his voice on institutional reforms (e.g., anti-doping) lead to change or will he be sidelined as a critic?
In some ways he seems to straddle two worlds: the impeccably elite athlete, and the loner voice of dissent. That dichotomy adds intrigue.
9. What Lies Ahead for Djokovic?
Looking forward, several key questions arise:
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Can he stay physically and mentally fit enough to contend for more Grand Slams?
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Will the “poisoning” claim ever be substantiated or widely accepted — and what does it imply about athlete welfare in extreme situations?
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Will his calls for reform in anti-doping gain traction, or be dismissed as the lament of one star?
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Will media and public perception continue to shift — and if so, will he embrace a different narrative, or double-down on his outsider status?
His next moves matter — whether he wins or loses, whether he speaks out or remains quiet, whether he refocuses or reacts. The story is far from over.
10. Conclusion
Novak Djokovic, already immortalised in tennis history, is now living through one of the most intriguing phases of his career. The combination of extraordinary achievement and unusual controversies create something of a paradox: the supreme champion who claims to have been poisoned; the confident multiple-Grand-Slam winner who distrusts the sport’s governing institutions; the celebrated global icon who still grapples with trauma and media frictions.
The mystery surrounding his life isn’t simply about scandal — it’s about identity, motivation, belief and legacy. Djokovic is no longer just playing tennis. He’s navigating public perception, global politics, personal health mysteries and the evolving world of professional sport.
For fans, critics and observers alike, his story is richer and stranger than ever. The question isn’t just how many more titles he will win, but how this chapter will define him. Will he emerge triumphant and vindicated, or will his legacy be more complex, controversial and enigmatic than ever envisioned?
Reuters
AP News
The Guardian
New York Post
People.com
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