Novak Djokovic details unconventional wellness routine at 38
The 24-time major champion describes seaweed, spirulina, pyramid water and a coffee ban among the practices he says helped recent recoveries
Novak Djokovic has outlined a string of unconventional dietary and recovery practices he credits with helping him remain competitive at 38, including seaweed and spirulina in smoothies, a ban on coffee and the use of so-called "magic" pills and pyramid water during recent recoveries.
The Serb, a record 24-time Grand Slam champion, described the elements of his daily routine in an interview with TheTennis101, saying it begins with a prayer and a specific hydration ritual and includes a mix of superfoods, outdoor exercise and recovery therapies.
"The very moment I wake up is always a prayer," Djokovic said in the interview. He said he starts by hydrating with lukewarm water, lemon and salt, followed by a hydration formula to replenish electrolytes and minerals. Breakfast, he said, typically includes fruits, smoothies or juice for vitamins and multivitamins.
Asked about his go-to smoothie, Djokovic mentioned mixed berries and dates, and said he adds hemp seeds, maca powder and spirulina — a blue-green algae he referred to as a superfood. He said he also uses a green powder blend that contains seaweeds to mask the strong taste of some ingredients. "And no, no, I don't take coffee," he added, though he said he might occasionally drink green tea for caffeine.
Beyond nutrition, Djokovic described a day that balances activity and recovery. If he does not have a tennis session, he said he remains active outdoors — swimming in the sea, biking, hiking, running and playing other sports such as football, basketball, padel and ping-pong. He said he complements activity with sauna and ice-bath sessions when possible.
Djokovic also reiterated practices that have surfaced during his recent comebacks. He credited a physician-prescribed combination of pills — at times referred to by Djokovic and his team as "magic pills" or a "magic potion" — with helping him recover during matches when illness struck. At Wimbledon, he said, those treatments helped him recover midway through a first-round match against Alexandre Muller. He also referenced a form of "pyramid water" from Bosnia and other bespoke remedies used during rehabilitation after knee surgery in 2024.
This year Djokovic reached the semifinals at both Wimbledon and the U.S. Open before losing to Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, respectively. He has said he hopes to add at least one more Grand Slam title before retiring, and his descriptions of daily habits come as he seeks to manage his body amid rising competition from younger players.
Djokovic's comments add to a long-running public focus on the player’s meticulous approach to fitness, diet and recovery, which he and his team have cited repeatedly as central to his career longevity. He framed the routine as both a physical and mental practice, beginning each day with gratitude and ending it with measures intended to preserve performance and hasten recovery.