How long has Djokovic been a vegan?

January 9, 2026 •

4 min read

Since 2010, tennis icon Novak Djokovic has credited a major dietary shift with transforming his career, though he began transitioning to a fully plant-based diet several years later. The answer to "How long has Djokovic been a vegan?" is nuanced, as he has consistently emphasized that he follows a plant-based diet, while often distancing himself from the vegan label itself.

Quick Summary

Novak Djokovic adopted a gluten-free and dairy-free diet after a 2010 diagnosis of food intolerances, later transitioning to a fully plant-based regimen around 2015. He often avoids the strict "vegan" label due to his specific dietary choices and focus on wellness rather than ethical veganism.

Key Points

Diet Shift Began in 2010: Novak Djokovic's dietary journey started in 2010 after being diagnosed with gluten and dairy intolerances by a nutritionist.
Fully Plant-Based by 2015/2016: He transitioned to a completely plant-based diet around 2015 or 2016, a few years after his initial gluten-free switch.
Prefers "Plant-Based" Over "Vegan": Djokovic avoids the "vegan" label, citing misinterpretation and preferring to focus on the health benefits of his plant-based diet for performance.
Key to Improved Performance: The dietary change is widely credited with dramatically improving his endurance, recovery, and overall consistency on the court.
Strict, Anti-Inflammatory Regimen: His diet is centered on whole, organic, plant-based foods, emphasizing easy digestion and reduced inflammation for peak athletic condition.
Holistic Wellness: Djokovic's approach is part of a larger, holistic wellness philosophy that includes meditation, yoga, and other practices to maintain peak physical and mental form.

The Dietary Shift That Sparked Djokovic's Dominance

Novak Djokovic's dietary journey began long before he fully embraced a plant-based lifestyle. After a series of career-threatening mid-match collapses in 2010, attributed to persistent respiratory issues and fatigue, he met with nutritionist Dr. Igor Cetojevic. A simple, unconventional test revealed a strong gluten and dairy intolerance. Removing these irritants from his diet resulted in an immediate and profound improvement in his energy, recovery, and overall fitness.

This initial dietary adjustment was the catalyst for his meteoric rise in 2011, a year in which he won three of the four Grand Slam titles. While the gluten and dairy elimination was a huge step, it wasn't the final one. Over the subsequent years, Djokovic continued to refine his nutritional approach, gradually phasing out more animal products, which he found hard to digest. By 2015-2016, he had settled into what is now widely considered a fully plant-based regimen.

Why He Avoids the "Vegan" Label

Despite his commitment to a plant-based diet, Djokovic has explicitly stated his discomfort with the term "vegan." In an interview following his 2019 Wimbledon win, he explained that he dislikes labels due to the potential for misinterpretation and misuse. While his diet consists solely of plant-based foods, his perspective is more focused on the health and performance benefits he has experienced, rather than the broader ethical and lifestyle philosophy of traditional veganism. This subtle distinction is important, as it highlights his personal motivation for the dietary choice, which stemmed from a need to optimize his body for peak athletic performance.

Inside the Djokovic Diet: A Daily Snapshot

Djokovic's typical diet is a carefully structured and consistent routine designed to provide maximum energy and optimal recovery with minimal digestive load.

Morning:

Starts with warm water and lemon to detoxify the body.
Followed by celery juice on an empty stomach.
A green smoothie with superfoods, including algae and fruit.
Often includes a "power bowl" of gluten-free muesli, nuts, seeds, and berries.

Mid-day:

Prioritizes easy-to-digest foods to conserve energy for training.
A mixed greens salad.
Often includes whole grains like quinoa, millet, or wild rice.
Can include steamed sweet or regular potatoes.

Evening:

Another balanced plant-based meal, focusing on nutrient density.
Dishes often feature legumes like chickpeas and lentils.
Served alongside plenty of fresh, organic vegetables.

Additional elements:

Hydration: Consistently drinks water with electrolytes throughout the day.
Supplements: Takes superfood supplements for enhanced mental clarity.
Snacks: Keeps snacks light, favoring dates or fruit for quick energy.

The Impact of His Dietary Evolution

The shift in Djokovic's diet directly correlates with his rise to unprecedented dominance in men's tennis. Before 2010, he was a top player but often struggled to overcome his fiercest rivals, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, in physically demanding, five-set matches. The mid-match collapses were a frequent and concerning issue. After adopting the gluten-free and then plant-based approach, his endurance, recovery, and overall on-court vitality skyrocketed. He transformed from a talented but fragile athlete into one of the most physically and mentally resilient players the sport has ever seen. This remarkable transformation not only extended his career but also allowed him to achieve a record-breaking number of Grand Slam titles, a testament to the profound effects of his meticulous nutrition.

Comparison Table: Djokovic's Pre-2010 vs. Post-2010 Diet


Feature	Pre-2010 Diet	Post-2010 Diet (Plant-Based)
Core Philosophy	Conventional athlete's diet, includes gluten, dairy, and meat.	Plant-based, focused on anti-inflammatory whole foods.
Energy & Performance	Inconsistent, prone to fatigue and mid-match collapses.	Consistent high energy, improved stamina and endurance.
Digestion	Frequent digestive issues, allergies, and respiratory problems.	Greatly improved digestion and elimination of allergy symptoms.
Protein Sources	Mixed, including meat, fish, and dairy.	Exclusively plant-based: beans, legumes, nuts, seeds.
Carbohydrates	Wheat-based bread, pasta.	Gluten-free grains like quinoa, wild rice, millet.
Hydration	Likely standard athlete hydration.	Emphasis on warm water, celery juice, and electrolytes.
Recovery	Slower recovery times, as seen in his early career.	Faster recovery, allowing him to play long, grueling matches.

Conclusion

While the answer to "how long has Djokovic been a vegan?" is a topic of widespread public interest, the reality is more nuanced. Djokovic has been on a plant-based diet since approximately 2015-2016, following an initial shift away from gluten and dairy in 2010. His dietary evolution was a deliberate and strategic move to address specific health issues and unlock his full athletic potential. By removing inflammatory foods and adopting a diet rich in whole, plant-based nutrients, he achieved a level of physical resilience and consistency that cemented his status as one of tennis's all-time greats. Ultimately, his story is less about a strict vegan label and more about a holistic approach to wellness and performance optimization through nutrition. For fans and athletes alike, his journey serves as a powerful reminder of the deep connection between diet and peak performance. You can read more about his diet in his book Serve to Win.

Frequently Asked Questions

Novak Djokovic transitioned to a fully plant-based diet sometime between 2015 and 2016, several years after he first eliminated gluten and dairy from his diet in 2010.

Djokovic has explained that he avoids the "vegan" label because he dislikes labels and feels the term is often misinterpreted. His primary motivation is health and athletic performance, rather than the ethical stance that defines traditional veganism.

After suffering from fatigue and mid-match physical collapses, a nutritionist discovered that Djokovic had severe intolerances to both gluten and dairy in 2010. This diagnosis was the key driver for his initial dietary changes.

A typical day includes warm water with lemon, celery juice, a green smoothie, gluten-free muesli, salads, and meals based on whole grains and vegetables. He avoids heavy, hard-to-digest foods, especially before training.

Yes, the change is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in his career. After eliminating gluten and dairy, his endurance, recovery, and on-court vitality improved dramatically, leading to unprecedented success.

No, Novak Djokovic does not eat meat or fish as part of his fully plant-based diet. He has stated that he found animal products difficult to digest and that they hindered his performance.

Yes, Novak Djokovic was an executive producer for the 2018 documentary The Game Changers, which promotes the benefits of a plant-based diet for athletes.