Why Novak Djokovic’s Diet Is Nearly Impossible for ‘Regular People’
Coming off yet another Grand Slam win at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic’s ridiculous dedication to his fitness and well-being continued to reap benefits for the tennis juggernaut. The youngest member of men’s tennis’s three-headed juggernaut with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, Djokovic has been winning Grand Slams regularly for 12 years. To do so, Djokovic lives a lifestyle and diet that few people could ever have the dedication to keep up with.
Legendary commitment
Djokovic did not get to where he is today by relying on skill and skill alone. He has, instead, taking the level of fitness needed to be a professional athlete and sent it into overdrive. Everything he does, everything he eats, and everything he drinks is part of a strict regimen that is meant to keep his body in tip-top shape.
In 2015, Djokovic spoke about how he goes about living such an intense lifestyle.
“I’ve realized that a very holistic approach to life and tennis, in general, helps me a lot and gives me the best results,” Djokovic said to The Independent.
“I feel like I’ve found the formula that works for me and I’m trying to stick with it. There is not a single thing that I can add that I can call a secret of success or secret elixir or potion that I’m drinking. It’s everything together.”
The results of this lifestyle don’t mean that Djokovic is stuck in the same cycle, it simply means that he is ready to adjust on the fly given whatever is thrown his way. If he gets injured, he is not going to give up, rather, he’s going to adjust the other aspects of his game and win. His diet, on the other hand, shows the lengths he goes to get to where he is.
What is Novak Djokovic’s diet like?
Djokovic doesn’t follow one fad or one strategy when dieting. Instead, he tries to ensure that whatever it is that he is eating, be it as a meal or as a snack, its nutritional value outweighs any other desires.
According to a profile in GQ, Djokovic tries to stick to vegetables, beans, white meat, fish, fruit, nuts, seeds, chickpeas, lentils, and healthy oils. If he cheats and has a piece of candy, it is literally just the one piece and not enough to jeopardize his commitment to nutrition.
GQ followed Djokovic’s eating habits for three days and showed just how committed he is to this lifestyle. For breakfast, he always started with a glass of water and two tablespoons of honey. Then, it was a fruit, oat, or nut heavy meal such as bananas with cashew butter, oats with bananas, or a mixture of oats and fruits called muesli.
Lunches are dominated by salads which are typically served alongside a pasta primavera, rice pasta with pesto, or another healthy noodle dish. When he’s snacking, Djokovic goes for hummus, avocados, fruits, gluten-free crackers, nuts, and several other staples of his main meals. Come dinner, a fresh green salad is typically served with tomato soup, lemon-roasted chicken, or minestrone and salmon filet.
This type of balance is key to Djokovic’s fitness whether he is playing in a tournament or training.
Does Novak Djokovic’s diet really work?
Djokovic shows no signs of slowing down as he approaches 33. Those who have paid attention to him since he was just a youngster know that he is committed to winning by any means necessary.
This means that he can never take a day or meal off. While those who are disciplined and looking to take their diet seriously may look to such a lifestyle for inspiration, the average person is likely to wonder how Djokovic could ever sustain such a strict lifestyle.
