For top-tier athletes, every minute detail of their diet, training and recovery can be the key to achieving peak performance.
And there’s arguably no sportsman more successful or meticulous about his body’s fuel than 24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian tennis ace is the most triumphant player to ever grace the court, boasting two more titles than Rafael Nadal and four more than Roger Federer, whilst still actively competing.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion is renowned for his strict adherence to his diet and training regimen. Djokovic follows a largely plant-based diet, steering clear of gluten, refined sugars and focusing on whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans and nuts.
After making the dietary switch in 2011, he went on to clinch three of the four grand slam titles that year, attributing this change in eating habits as a game-changer.
In his 2014 book ‘Serve To Win’, Novak wrote: “Suddenly there was an X factor, a change in my diet that allowed my body to perform the way it was meant to.”
However, in a recent TikTok clip with American sports journalist Graham Bensinger, the athlete revealed a surprising addition to his morning routine.
When asked what a typical day looks like, the tennis star said: “When I rise from bed, I start with warm water and lemon so I can help my body to detoxify and then I would have celery juice on an empty stomach.”
While it might seem a bit odd to the average person, Djokovic’s beverage choice is backed by some serious science.
Hot lemon water is a fantastic natural source of Vitamin C, an acid that plays a vital role in numerous bodily functions and can bolster your immune system. It’s also a potent anti-oxidant that can counteract damage from harmful free radicals, keeping your cells healthy and robust.
Drinking this concoction in the morning, as Novak does, can also be beneficial for your digestive system.
While the full effects are still debated, a 2019 study suggests long-term consumption of this mixture in the morning can help prevent gut ageing, with polyphenols released from the lemon helping to maintain balanced gut bacteria.
Adding celery juice to the mix is thought to have similar benefits. This drink is also high in vitamin C, but includes Vitamins A and K, as well as nutrients like potassium, folate, and magnesium.
Vitamin K is particularly important for the tennis player as it supports bone health, while the other nutrients aid in muscle recovery and blood flow.
But beyond the science, the athlete himself claims that these foods provide him with mental clarity and generally energise him, giving him a positive start to the day.
Even if you’re not planning on following the routine of the health ace, it is advisable to stay hydrated. The NHS recommends drinking six to eight cups or glasses of fluid a day.
