Vegan tennis legend Novak Djokovic claim his record 23rd Grand Slam at French Open

11th June, 2023

After winning his men's record 23rd Grand Slam championship at the French Open, Novak Djokovic recaptured the world number one position from Carlos Alcaraz, while Rafa Nadal fell out of the top 100 for the first time in 20 years. The 36-year-old vegan tennis legend began his record-extending 388th week at the top on Monday, jumping two places in the standings following his weekend triumph in Paris. In the tournament's semi-finals, he defeated Spaniard Alcaraz. This glorious feat is one that Djokovic credits to his overall fitness and health that was miraculously improved when he transitioned to veganism. Read on to know more about his journey and the fate of other players at the French Open 2023.

Image Source: Vogue

How other players fared at the French Open

Alcaraz fell to second place, while Daniil Medvedev, who crashed out in the first round, fell to third. Casper Ruud, the runner-up at Roland Garros, remained in fourth position. Nadal, a 14-time French Open winner, has had an injury-plagued season and has not played since January due to a hip ailment incurred during the Australian Open.

All about how Djokovic transitioned to veganism

Djokovic realised he has a gluten allergy about a decade ago by putting a piece of bread against his stomach with his arm, as advised by a dietician, and seeing the immediate loss of strength in that arm. He later discovered he had a dairy intolerance and is extremely sensitive to refined sweets. This surprised Djokovic, whose family owns a pizza company and who claims he grew up eating so much bread that he would order a side of bread with his pizza. Djokovic changed his diet not just due to dietary sensitivities, but also due to his low-energy performances. 

How turning vegan benefitted his health

During tennis tournaments, he felt fatigued and experienced breathing difficulties, vomiting, impaired vision, and a difficulty to concentrate. He claims that modifying his eating habits has benefited his rehabilitation and overall health. His commitment to a plant-based diet extends beyond the tennis court. He and his wife opened a vegan restaurant in Monte Carlo, and he was an executive producer on the recent documentary The Game Changers, which looked at the relationship between plant-based nutrition and athletics.

Source: The Beet

Djokovic's healthy diet includes his cooking as much as possible, even when staying in hotels - he'll insist on staying somewhere with a kitchen. He also prefers to buy organic vegetables and avoids any processed foods and refined sweets.

Discover the kind of vegan food the legend loves to eat

Djokovic's day will begin with a Power Bowl, which he describes in his book, Serve to Win, as a basis of gluten-free cereals, nuts, plant milk, fruit, and coconut oil. Djokovic may also opt for a smoothie in the morning. He shared a recipe for his fave smoothie, which includes banana, plant milk, cinnamon, chia seeds, protein powder, flax seed, and cacao powder. Djokovic will consume nutrient-dense carbohydrates like brown rice or quinoa for his major meals, along with vegetables like roasted peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and green beans. To revitalise himself, he frequently eats gluten-free spaghetti with vegetables, as well as beans and lentils. 

Djokovic like soups and salads, including as carrot ginger soup and kale salad, and may be seen on social media drinking various green juices. Fruits are also ingested, but not excessively, as he does not want to go "overboard" with the sweets. Djokovic's snacks will include hummus, crackers with avocado, nuts, or an apple with cashew butter.

It may appear that being a gluten-free vegan and the world's number one tennis player is impossible, but Djokovic is living proof that a plant-based diet is the secret to his success!