Jump to content
This site uses cookies. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. More Info... ×
  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.




  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):



    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):


  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Record is Archived

    This article is now archived and is closed to further replies.

    Jefferson Adams
    Jefferson Adams

    Gluten-free Novak Djokovic Wins Record Third Straight Australian Open

    Reviewed and edited by a celiac disease expert.

    Celiac.com 02/14/2013 - Gluten-free tennis sensation Novak Djokovic's recent five set victory over Andy Murray at Melbourne Park makes him the first man in the 45-year Open era to win three consecutive Australian Opens.

    Photo of Novak Djokovic serving at the French Open: CC-y.caradecSince going gluten-free in 2010, after tests indicated that he suffered from gluten-intolerance, the 25-year-old Djokovic is undefeated at the Australian Open, and virtually unstoppable on the court.

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A12):
    Following a high-protein, gluten-free diet, Djokovic now avoids most starches, including his past favorites, pizza and pasta. The Serbian tennis star credits the gluten-free diet with sharp improvements to his tennis and his health.

    “Mentally, you’ll be fresh, you’ll be happier, you’ll be calmer," said Djokovic. Physically, you’ll be stronger, faster, more dynamic, your muscles will work better. That’s what I feel."

    At first, the already slim 6-foot-2 Djokovic lost 10 pounds after cutting gluten out of his diet, but insists it has only helped his game.

    "I have lost some weight but it's only helped me, because my movement is much sharper now and I feel great physically," said Novak, whose weight now hovers at 176 pounds. “I am very skinny. [but] I am fast and very powerful on the court, so this is what matters.”

    When he's not in training, Djokovic has been known to backslide and eat some of his old favorites, including pizza and pasta, a pattern familiar to many folks seeking to follow a gluten-free diet, especially those who don't suffer immediate symptoms.

    However, he says that following a gluten-free diet brings out his best.

    "If you can mentally overcome this greed and eat only the food that is good for your metabolism, then you will have the best results, not just in tennis but in life as well," he says.

    Djokovic has now won a total of four Australian Open trophies: In 2008, and then 2011, 2012 and 2013.



    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Guest mikiais

    Posted

    His victory over Andy Murray in recent Australian Open's Final was in four sets not five.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Guest Sandra

    He won in four sets, not five!

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Guest
    This is now closed for further comments

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Help Celiac.com:
    Donate
  • About Me

    Jefferson Adams

    Jefferson Adams is Celiac.com's senior writer and Digital Content Director. He earned his B.A. and M.F.A. at Arizona State University. His articles, essays, poems, stories and book reviews have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and websites, including North American Project, Antioch Review, Caliban, Mississippi Review, Slate, and more. He is the author of more than 2,500 articles on celiac disease. His university coursework includes studies in science, scientific methodology, biology, anatomy, physiology, medicine, logic, and advanced research. He previously devised health and medical content for Colgate, Dove, Pfizer, Sharecare, Walgreens, and more. Jefferson has spoken about celiac disease to the media, including an appearance on the KQED radio show Forum, and is the editor of numerous books, including "Cereal Killers" by Scott Adams and Ron Hoggan, Ed.D.

    >VIEW ALL ARTICLES BY JEFFERSON ADAMS

     


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Related Articles

    Jefferson Adams
    Celiac.com 03/02/2012 - Riding high on a gluten-free diet and new training regimen, Novak Djokovic survived eleven grueling hours of tennis over three days to emerge as the 2012 Australian Open men's champion.
    Less than two days after an impressive five set victory over Andy Murray, Djokovic was back on court at Melbourne Park for a six-hour battle against Rafael Nadal.
    So what's fueling such remarkable feats of endurance by a player once derided by fellow pro Andy Roddick as a hypochondriac?
    Djokovic adopted a gluten free diet in July 2010, after nutritionist Igo Cetojevic discovered that the Serb suffered from celiac disease, and thus from poor nutritional absorption and other problems associated with his body's adverse reaction to gluten.
    Since going gluten-free, Djokovic...


  • Recent Activity

    1. - shadycharacter replied to Linedancegal's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      5

      25 year biopsy confirmed/ate pizza with no ill effects?

    2. - Tlbaked13 replied to djmu's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      2

      Peripheral Neuropathy

    3. - Hannah24 replied to Hannah24's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Negative Test but I have All the Symptoms!

    4. - Hannah24 replied to Hannah24's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      7

      Negative Test but I have All the Symptoms!

    5. - trents replied to Linedancegal's topic in Introduce Yourself / Share Stuff
      5

      25 year biopsy confirmed/ate pizza with no ill effects?


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):



  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      120,466
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748

    Tlbaked13
    Newest Member
    Tlbaked13
    Joined

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):


  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      120.2k
    • Total Posts
      1m

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):





  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):



  • Popular Now

    • Linedancegal
    • Hannah24
      7
    • jessiemariecar
    • Rhonda H
    • HayleyC123
  • Popular Articles

    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
    • Scott Adams
  • Upcoming Events

×
×
  • Create New...