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Novak Djokovic’s bizarre habit of inhaling contents from a drinks bottle in his Wimbledon quarter-final match has created quite a stir among tennis fans.
The men’s top seed, who plays British hope Cameron Norrie for a spot in the final, has set tongues wagging on social media after he was caught on camera taking something from a drinks bottle during a change of ends.
The Serb appeared to check with his support crew sitting courtside during his last-16 win over Tim van Rijthoven before breathing in the contents rather than drinking them.
One fan said: ‘I would very much like to know what was in this bottle. It certainly wasn’t liquid, and he gestured to his coach before inhaling it. Very odd.’
According to The Telegraph, the Serbian star, 35, is one of many professional players opting to take unmixed energy supplements or isotonic powder during matches without water.
‘You wouldn’t really get any benefit from doing it mid-match, but I’m sure this is isotonic,’ a source told the publication.
‘A lot of players have started eating powder, even pre-workout isotonic powder.
An unnamed source said Novak Djokovic, 35, is one of many professional players opting to digest unmixed energy drinks or isotonic powder during matches (pictured)
Djokovic will play Brit Cameron Norrie in Wimbledon semi-finals after beating Jannik Sinner
‘They’ve started eating it without water. It’s mainly pre-workout stuff because it gives them a buzz.
‘I imagine it’s disgusting in the throat. It’s weird, but it is what they are doing.’
Isotonic powder is easily digestible and replenishes carbohydrates quickly when energy levels need to remain high during such high-level and intense competition.
Such supplements are usually taken by dissolving the powder in water and then drunk either before or during exercise to ensure the body can perform at maximum levels. Taken with water softens the metallic taste as well as hydrating the body.
Isotonic products can be use to load energy levels before performance or are often used for endurance sports to restore energy that has been lost during exercise.
The supplements vary in strength depending on the intensity and duration of exercise.
It is common for tennis players to take nutritional drinks and snacks during matches, particularly when they go the distance to five sets.
Djokovic was in fact involved in a five-set thriller when tennis fans clocked him squeezing something out of a plastic bottle with the No 1 seed coming back from two sets down to beat Jannik Sinner 5-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Some cynics accused the renowned anti-vaxxer of doping, which was quickly panned by Wimbledon officials.
One fan said on Twitter: ‘If he was going to dope, I’m sure on centre court, in front of the crowd, umpire, and countless millions watching on tv, is exactly where he’d do it,’ followed by three laughing crying face emojis.
While another said: ‘Not suggesting doping or whatever, but just interested what it really is, never seen a player inhaling something during his match. Must be something new.’
The top seed took on board similar at the Australian Open earlier this year and joked: ‘The liquids were magic potions that my physio prepares in his lab,’ when asked what was in his drinks bottle.
Djokovic is gluten intolerant and has an incredibly strict diet. He changed his diet after blood tests showed difficulties with digesting wheat and dairy.
He promoted smoothies, drinking water, avoiding all confectionary products – there was once a story where Djokovic, after not having chocolate for 18 months, had one singular cube melt on his tongue before he was satisfied.
Djokovic now stands two wins away from a 21st Grand Slam title, with his 20th major achieved at Wimbledon last year.
Given it is unlikely he will grace the courts at the US Open due to his ongoing vaccination stance, the All England Club looms as the final venue this year where Djokovic can potentially equal Rafael Nadal’s tally of 21 career Grand Slams.
World No 4 Nadal takes on polarising Aussie Nick Kyrgios for a spot in the Wimbledon decider in the other semi-final on Friday.
