At 38 years of age, while most of the tennis players of his generation have already hung up their rackets, Novak Djokovic is still fighting at the top of the circuit. With 24 Grand Slam titles to his name and still with the ambition to add more, the Serb has once again captured the attention of the world, this time not only for his tennis, but for the secrets behind his almost supernatural physique.
In an interview with ‘TheTennis101’, Djokovic has revealed aspects of his rigorous, and at times eccentric, wellness routine that were previously little known, combining spirituality, science, superfoods, and some unconventional practices. His life seems like a longevity laboratory, and his body is his best testimony.
The first step: gratitude and salt water
“The exact moment I wake up I always say a prayer. It’s an expression of gratitude, first of all, for being alive and having another opportunity to live that day,” he said. It’s not just a physical thing. For Djokovic, health starts in the mind.
Then comes the technical part. Before ingesting any solid food, he hydrates with warm water, lemon and salt, followed by a special formula to replenish electrolytes and minerals. “It’s not just water. It’s a mixture designed to activate the body from within,” he says.
Fruits, superfoods and lots of dates
His preferred breakfast is far from the traditional coffee and toast. Djokovic prefers to start the day with smoothies of red fruits and dates, to which he adds hemp seeds, maca powder, spirulina and other superfoods. “I love dates, dates all day!” he says with a laugh.
The key comes from a green powder mix containing algae and seaweed, rich in antioxidants, proteins, vitamins and minerals, although he himself admits that it does not always taste good: “Luckily, the taste is well hidden with other things. But the important thing is the benefits.”
Without coffee and with lots of outdoor activity
In a revelation that surprised many, Djokovic confessed that he does not drink coffee, a beverage that is practically omnipresent in the world of sport. “Maybe I have a caffeinated green tea once in a while,” he says. Instead, he prefers to keep his body active from early on.
Even on days without formal training, the Serb seeks contact with nature: swimming in the sea, cycling, hiking, running or playing football, basketball or padel. For him, movement is fundamental, not only to keep fit, but to connect body and mind.
The other side of training: sauna and ice baths
After physical activity, Djokovic focuses on recovery: sauna, ice baths, conscious breathing and active rest are an essential part of his daily routine. It is a holistic view of well-being, where post-exercise care is as important as physical exertion.
His approach has been key to recovering from injuries that would have definitely sidelined others from the circuit. At Wimbledon 2024, for example, he surprised by returning to competition just weeks after knee surgery.
The “magic” tricks
Djokovic does not shy away from talking about his unorthodox methods. On several occasions he has been seen drinking “potions” between games, especially during Wimbledon, where he acknowledged that a mixture prepared by his medical team helped him overcome a physical slump in his debut against Alexandre Muller.
“They are specific formulas for hydration, recovery and energy,” he once explained, without going into detail. Although he jokingly calls them “magic pills”, it is clear that there is science behind every gesture, every sip and every spoonful he consumes.
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