Novak Djokovic, with 23 grand slams and 39 masters, has solidified his position as one of the best players in the history of tennis. When he started playing, his game was not indicative of someone who could dominate the ATP Tour for more than a decade. But a fortunate change in diet tipped all the scales in his favor. 

The Serbian player adopted a vegan diet, which has helped him reach new heights. As he vies for his 24th grand slam in the ongoing US Open, Djokovic’s diet will play an imperative role.

Is Novak Djokovic vegan or vegetarian? The Serbian’s diet explained.

Unveiling the Transition

The Serbian tennis legend is one of the few players who have changed their diet to a one that contains little to no animal products. While many would not consider such a change, Djokovic welcomed it wholeheartedly. Djokovic has adopted a vegan diet for several reasons. The Serb first cut out animal products when he was a child. Although he didn’t stop eating them altogether, he certainly reduced the amount he consumed.

He fully transitioned to a plant-based diet in 2010 and has even promoted it many times. 

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Health and Performance Benefits

The Djoker would often fall ill during or prior to matches, which led to a forfeit many times. A change was imperative, and he was contacted by dietitian Igor Cetojevic. Through him, Djokovic discovered that he was allergic to gluten, dairy and processed sugar. A change in his eating habits was implemented immediately. 

He cut out all animal products and experienced a significant improvement in his performance. He first implemented the change in 2010. Following the health improvement, the Djoker had a sudden increase in his titles. 

The Plant-powered diet

A New Culinary Adventure

The Serbian tennis champion is so serious about his nutrition that he included it in his book Serve to Win: The 14-Day Gluten-Free Plan for Physical and Mental Excellence. He begins each day with a glass of warm water with lemon. Djokovic then drinks celery juice and a green smoothie after his water. Although the tennis champion needs to fuel his body for training, he prefers to receive his energy from vegetables, fruits, and proteins.

A typical meal would consist of a mixed-greens salad, gluten-free pasta primavera (rice pasta, summer squash, courgettes, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, and optional vegan cheese), and a mixed-greens salad. Following that would be a vegan protein shake.

For dinner, he added “Fresh mixed-greens salad with avocado and homemade dressing; carrot and ginger soup; whole lemon-roasted chicken,” to his book in 2014. The chicken is substituted for an equally healthy vegan option. 

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Mindful Nutrition Choices

Djokovic chooses to optimize his diet in order to ensure prime physical performance on the court. His gluten-free, plant-based diet, along with high-quality proteins, improves his endurance and recovery. This approach to nutrition, adding to his rigorous practices, aligns with his holistic wellness approach, enhancing his on-court prowess.

Success on the court

Performance Enhancement

Although he does not like to be branded a vegan, he admits to eating a plant-based diet for many years. He comes from a culinary household and enjoys eating. He even opened a vegan restaurant, Eqvita, in Monte Carlo, where he lives. But food is more than simply a source of pleasure for Djokovic. It is crucial to his success.

While it is easy to talk about the benefits that a particular diet offers, results are hard to come by. But the Djoker has shown the benefits of the new diet through his record-breaking 23 grand slams. Additionally, he also has the most weeks at number 1, which further proves the benefits of his diet.  

Mental Clarity and Focus

Djokovic avoids animal products but prefers to keep himself distanced from the term ‘vegan’ since he believes many people misinterpret the word. Regardless, he is a big proponent of a plant-based diet, seen from him stepping into the restaurant business in Monte Carlo. For him, the diet provides great mental clarity, which is needed to play at his best.

Environmental consciousness

Sustainability Values

Contrary to popular belief, most people do not adopt a plant-based diet for health reasons. Rather, they adopt it to curb the environmental damage of the meat industry. Djokovic pursued the diet for the former reason: to improve his health. But his decisions have definitely had an immense impact in favor of the environment, especially considering the amount of food needed to fuel an athlete. 

The Serbian maestro is someone who always promotes the health of the planet. He is outspoken about his beliefs about how the planet should be the biggest priority for everyone. His plant-based diet only furthers his ideals of healing the environment from the problems caused by raising animals for meat and other products.  

A Champion for Change

Djokovic’s vegan diet is not something the player or his team wishes to keep a secret. Along with him, his wife, Jelena Djokovic, also follows a vegan diet. The Serbian player has often promoted a vegan diet. For him, it is the key to success. He took part in the ‘Game Changers’ documentary, which focused on a plant-based diet benefiting athletes. 

While he wasn’t vocal about it at first, he was motivated to share his knowledge when someone asked him about it.

“I was definitely very happy to be a part of a very impressive group of people,” he added. “From sport, the movie industry, different fields of life, very successful people who are eating plant-based, being healthy, happy and successful in what they do. This is what it is all about.“

The Djoker has benefitted greatly from a diet which focuses on plant-based foods. He promotes it whenever he gets the opportunity and will probably continue to recommend it after his retirement, given the benefits he has received from it.

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