2014 Wimbledon winner Novak Djokovic’s diet and fitness regime

It seemed like the entire world was watching as Roger Federer brought out the big guns to to repel Novak Djokovic as he tried to become the first man to win 8 Wimbledon titles in the Open Era and also

By: Nirmalya Dutta | | Updated: July 7, 2014 10:15 am

It seemed like the entire world was watching as Roger Federer brought out the big guns to to repel Novak Djokovic as he tried to become the first man to win 8 Wimbledon titles in the Open Era and also become the oldest men’s Grand Slam winner. Sadly, it wasn’t to be and Roger’s valiant comeback in the fourth set from 2-5 down wasn’t enough to keep Djokovic down as he won the fifth set 6-4 winning the match 6-7, 6-4, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4. But then it was always going to be hard for Roger as he came up against the machine that the Djoker has become in recent years. Here’s a peek at Novak Djokovic’s diet and fitness regime that keeps him going on and on: Also Read - Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: 4 reasons an eco-friendly Ganesha is good for you

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Barely three years ago, was Djokovic known as the choker for failing to win in big matches. Some claimed it was asthma while other believed that it was a psychological block. But the problem was something else. Dr Igor Cetojevic, a physician and acupuncturist while watching a match in January 2010 realised that it wasn’t asthma but something else. Cetojevic believed that the breakdown was due to issues in the digestive system. He got in touch with Djokovic’s trainers and suggested a series of tests which confirmed his suspicions. Djokovic was sensitive to gluten and it was preventing him from reaching his full potential. A series of dietary amendments later, the Djoker was a new man. Also Read - This is how TV actor Vivek Dahiya stays fit

In 2011, he was almost untouchable winning three out of the four Slams that year and ended the year with a 70-6 win loss record. He beat everyone there was to beat, destroying the likes of Federer and Nadal. The latter, who lost to him in six finals that year, described it as ‘probably the highest level of tennis that I ever saw.’

So how does gluten make a difference? Gluten is a protein composite found in foods processed from wheat which holds the material together. It is found in bread, pasta, pizza, rotis and a lot of other food items. For people suffering from gluten intolerance or celiac disease (an auto-immune disorder of the small intestine), the only option is to switch to a completely gluten-free diet. If a person with celiac disease eats gluten, the lining of their small intestine is damaged which prevents the absorption of nutrients and leads to malnutrition and weight loss. Similar issues can occur with people suffering from gluten intolerance. It can be hard to track the disease because people suffering from these ailments are often misdiagnosed. It’s often confused with irritable bowel syndrome.

Djokovic’s gluten-free diet consists of beans, nuts, eggs, meat, fish, chicken, selected dairy products, fruits and veggies. He only has fresh products without any preservatives. The diet actually made Novak lose even more weight which resulted in a leaner, physique which made him sharper on the court.

Here’s a peek at a gluten-free diet you can follow.

Novak Djokovic’s training secrets

While his diet did re-define his game, it’d be worth mentioning that he couldn’t be repelled Federer without his immense athleticism and physical ability. A natural ectomorph, Djokovic is a hard gainer which is perfect for a tennis player since he can shed weight quickly. His all-court tennis style which saw him beautifully counter Federer’s serve-and-volley game today is borne from years of practise and hard work. To get that extra boost, he turned to a high-tech fitness pod which simulated high intensity physical training at high altitude which allowed his body to produce more blood cells to boost his aerobic capacity. He regularly uses resistance bands for physical strength and to improve stability and also works hard on his flexibility. This not only helps him avoid groin and hamstring injuries, but also allows him to reach for balls faster and cover more ground.

As we can see, the Djoker made great sacrifices to bring his game to the level it is now and that we guess is the fine margins that exist between the great and good.

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Published : July 7, 2014 12:01 am | Updated:July 7, 2014 10:15 am

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