Novak Djokovic has given an insight into his daily wellness routine that has helped him stay competitive with the young guns at the top of tennis.
The Serb, 38, is still fighting at the very top of world tennis after chalking up a record 24 Grand Slams across his glittering career – and that is largely down to the meticulous way he manages his body.
Djokovic, who made it to both the Wimbledon and US Open semi-finals before suffering respective defeats against tennis’ two unstoppable forces right now – Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, will still hope to have at least one more Grand Slam in him before calling time on his career.
At Wimbledon in 2024, Djokovic made a stunning recovery shortly after undergoing surgery on a troublesome knee injury – and revealed his weird and wacky methods were a key reason behind his return, from ‘pyramid water’ from Bosnia to a ‘magic potion’ made specially by his physios.
This year at SW19, the tennis great admitted the doctor’s ‘magic pills’ helped him recover midway through his first round match against Alexandre Muller, having been struck down with illness.
There is much more to Djokovic’s wellness routine than ‘magic’ potions and pills, however.
Tennis icon Novak Djokovic has opened up on his daily wellness routine after the US Open
‘The very moment I wake up is always a prayer,’ Djokovic said in an interview with TheTennis101.
‘It’s always an expression of gratitude first of all for being alive and having another chance to live that day.
‘And then I would hydrate. I would take lukewarm water, lemon and salt. I would then take my hydration formula normally that I would want to hydrate myself with. Something more than just the water. Just to replenish the electrolytes, minerals – and get myself going.
‘I like to have like fruits and smoothies, juice, or something to get some vitamin, multivitamin inside.’
Asked what his go-to smoothie is, the Serb added: ‘Mixed berries, dates are my favourite. I love dates, dates all day! I would add some hemp seeds, different seeds and stuff like this. Superfoods, maca powder, spirulina – although not great tasting!’
‘I have a green powder blend where I have all these, like seaweeds, but they taste well because they’re mixed with the other stuff, so I put a scoop of that in and I’m happy that it hides the horrible flavour.’
Spirulina is a blue-green algae recognised as a super-food due to its high content of antioxidants, protein, vitamins and minerals. It offers benefits for immune health, energy and reducing oxidative stress.
The tennis great then went on to make a surprise admission.
‘And no, no, I don’t take coffee,’ he added. ‘I would maybe drink a green tea every once in a while that has caffeine.
At Wimbledon, he bounced back after taking some ‘miracle pills’ during his first-round clash
‘Then I would start to do, if I don’t necessarily have a tennis practice and I don’t have an obligation to train, I still want to be active, I still want to be outdoors for my wellness as well. I love to be swimming in the sea, biking, hiking, running, jogging.
‘I like to play other sports too – football, basketball, padel, ping pong – whatever just to get some blood flow going and then once I satisfy that part of the active part of the day, I like to do the chilling part like possible sauna, ice bath etc.’
Whether Djokovic is able to find enough in his body to stage one final surge against tennis’ new generation, only time will tell.
