There is not a lot separating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic when it comes to their accomplishments in tennis. While the former has won 22 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic has won 24. The Spaniard has won 36 Masters 1000 titles, only four fewer than the Serb’s 40. Both have one Olympic gold medal each, and are almost next to each other in terms of overall singles titles (99 for Djokovic vs 92 for Nadal).
However, there is one thing that changes drastically when it comes to their respective approaches to tennis. Djokovic, in that regard, is known for the extreme lengths he goes to in order to keep himself in the best shape possible. Among many other things the 24-time Grand Slam champion practices for that includes a gluten-free diet, one that many believe to be his secret recipe for success.
Sometime in 2010, Djokovic met Dr. Igor Cetojevic, a nutritionist from Serbia, who recommended that he go on a dairy and gluten-free diet. Starting in 2011, the former World No. 1 met with immediate success, winning three Slams that year. 23 of his 24 Major trophies, in fact, have come after the dietary change. Since then, many tennis players have become inspired by the Serb, with Bernard Tomic going vegan and Carlos Alcaraz turning to a gluten-free diet in recent times.
At the 2013 US Open, Rafael Nadal was asked about the matter, whether he too had been enticed by the diet at some point in his career. While Nadal admitted that small things could impact a tennis player’s game, he thought it was better to only make changes that did not drive one crazy.
“At the end of the day, all the small things can help if you don’t get crazy. I always had the theory that most important thing is be happy, enjoy what are you doing, and be fresh mentally,” Nadal said.
“If have the gluten free diet or have the perfect diet or these kind of things supposed to you a change or a big sacrifice for you and that produce you not being happy the rest of the day, not being fresh mentally because that’s a lot of effort for you, better don’t do it,” he added.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion mantained that every player’s body was different, meaning what worked for one might not necessarily work for another.
“If does nothing for you and you feel that’s the right thing to do to be fit, so do it. It’s not a secret, and is not only one way to be a good tennis player or to be fit. Not all the players who had success in the history had the same diet or had the same style of play. Everybody’s different,” Nadal said.
“I am happy with the normal diet” – Rafael Nadal
At the press conference, Rafael Nadal revealed that he, personally, was sticking with the normal diet, even though he had no complaints against the gluten-free diet that was becoming all the rage at the time.
At the end of the day, the Mallorcan was adamant that everyone’s free to try things they wanted, regardless of whether another person was doing them or not.
“Now seems like the gluten free diet is great. After three years or four years we will find another thing that will be great, too. Then the gluten free will not work anymore. So all these kind of things that are news, personally I am not doing. I am happy with the normal diet. But I don’t say is negative. I will say everybody’s free to do what he wants. Everybody are not working the same things,” Nadal said.
Rafael Nadal is currently in the middle of what could be his final season on the ATP Tour, and is scheduled to play next at the Laver Cup in Berlin.
