Djokovic Reveals Importance Of His Diet

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 7th August 2013

Djokovic Reveals Importance Of His Diet

epa03779587 Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during the men's final against Andy Murray of Britain for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 07 July 2013. EPA/ANJA NIEDRINGHAUS / POOL |

Novak Djokovic maintains the prime factor in him metamorphosing from being a player who repeatedly raised the white flag of surrender because his body was letting him down, to the ironman with supreme powers of recovery, was a total makeover when it came to his diet.

Hitherto the world no.1 has been reluctant to divulge details, aside from admitting he became part of the gluten-free revolution. However Djokovic has decided to go public in a just-published new book, or ‘nutrition-based performance guide’ as he calls it, titled Serve To Win.

Djokovic reveals the architect of his diet was Serbian-born Cyprus-based nutritionist Dr. Igor Cetojevic. Tests showed the player was wheat and dairy intolerant so he became gluten and lactose free and now he incessantly sips warm water because cold slows digestion and diverts blood away from muscles.

He also drinks shakes made with pea protein concentrate, avoids alcohol, caffeine and dairy products but eats plenty of avocados, cashew butter and very little sugar. To unwind he recommends licorice tea and believes in the use of melatonin supplements.

First thing in the morning and also during matches he swallows tubes of honey from New Zealand, that is known to have “exceptional” anti-bacterial properties and is most commonly used on infected wounds. It comes from bees that feed on manuka trees—a dense-branched genus of shrub that can thrive in soil depleted of nutrients.

Since he started his new diet, he writes, “My allergies abated; my asthma disappeared; my fears and doubts were replaced by confidence.” He adds: “I have not had a serious cold or flu in nearly three years.”

But most tellingly Djokovic reveals: “I like to have a bit of color in my urine.”