Inside Novak Djokovic daily routine: Diet, recovery and habits behind the 24-time Grand Slam champion

Novak Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam titles and is still competing at the top of the game well into his late 30s. That does not happen by accident. Behind the trophies and the records is a daily routine built on habits that most people would find either inspiring or exhausting, depending on how you look at it. Djokovic has always been open about the fact that what he puts into his body and how he treats it away from the court matter just as much to him as the hours he spends practising his serve.

The daily habits that keep him going

Around 2010, Djokovic was dealing with breathing problems, fatigue, and energy crashes in the middle of matches. It was affecting his game in a way that was hard to ignore. He began working with Serbian nutrition specialist Igor Četojević, who tested his diet and suggested he had a sensitivity to gluten. Djokovic cut gluten out and later said the change was career-altering. According to his book Serve to Win, he felt lighter, his energy levels improved and he started recovering faster between matches. What followed was one of the most dominant periods any player has had in the history of the sport.
Since that turning point, Djokovic has followed a mostly gluten-free and dairy-free diet, steering clear of refined sugar and heavily processed foods. His meals are built around vegetables, fruits, beans, lentils, nuts, seeds and healthy oils. Fish and white meat appear occasionally, but the overall approach is largely plant-focused.
His mornings start gently. Rather than a heavy breakfast, he begins with warm water and lemon, often followed by celery juice or a fruit-based smoothie. The idea is to hydrate the body and bring in vitamins before training begins. Breakfast itself is usually simple: gluten-free grains or oats with berries, nuts and seeds, according to reports in Tennis365.
During tournaments, he keeps his energy topped up with natural sources like fruit and dates and electrolyte drinks to stay hydrated through matches that can go on for hours. It is a practical approach built around what his body actually needs rather than what tastes good in the moment.
Recovery is just as important. Djokovic builds stretching, yoga, flexibility work and mobility training into every day to protect joints, keep inflammation down and help his body bounce back after travel and competition. His diet plays into this too, with plant-based eating widely linked to lower inflammation and better muscle recovery.
Then there is the mental side, which Djokovic has spoken about openly for years. He practises meditation and breathing exercises regularly, using them to manage stress and stay focused when the pressure is at its highest. For him, looking after the mind is not separate from looking after the body. It is all part of the same routine.


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