Nick Kyrgios's Ethical Shift to a Vegan Lifestyle
In 2020, Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios drew significant attention when he publicly announced his decision to go vegan. The catalyst for this lifestyle change was his emotional reaction to the Australian bushfires, which resulted in the death of millions of animals. In a blog post on Athlete's Voice, he articulated his newfound conviction, stating, "I don't eat meat or dairy anymore. That's not for my health, I just don't believe in eating animals".
Kyrgios's motivation has always been rooted in ethical and environmental concerns, rather than solely athletic performance. This sets him apart from other prominent athletes who have adopted plant-based diets primarily for health benefits, such as Novak Djokovic. The Australian's commitment to animal welfare has been consistent in his public messaging, even as questions about his dietary adherence have emerged. He has used his platform to advocate for more responsible choices and has partnered with brands like Beyond Meat to promote plant-based eating.
The Controversy Surrounding Seafood Consumption
Despite his vocal commitment to a vegan lifestyle, conflicting reports have surfaced over the years, causing confusion among fans. The most notable instance occurred during the 2022 US Open, where an NBC New York article reported on his dietary habits. In an interview, Kyrgios mentioned that he loves seafood, specifically salmon, and would eat it for the rest of his life if he could only choose one meal. This comment directly contradicts the principles of veganism and created a contradiction for many following his journey.
Following this report, discussion boards on sites like Talk Tennis and Reddit noted the discrepancy between his public statements and the reported seafood consumption. Some speculated that while he maintains a strong commitment to animal welfare and avoids red meat and dairy, his diet may not be strictly vegan. Others suggested that his definition of a "vegan" or "plant-based" diet might be more flexible than the standard definition. Regardless, this incident highlighted the challenge of maintaining a strict dietary regimen, especially for athletes with demanding travel schedules.
Comparing Nick Kyrgios and Other Vegan Athletes
To put Kyrgios's journey in perspective, a comparison with other high-profile athletes who have adopted similar diets can be insightful. While Kyrgios's motivation is ethical, others like Djokovic and Venus Williams have been driven by performance and health.
| Athlete | Primary Motivation | Adherence to Veganism | Status in 2025 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Kyrgios | Ethical (Animal Welfare) | Questioned (Reported seafood consumption) | Remains ethically committed; diet is unclear | Signed endorsement deals with vegan brands like Beyond Meat. |
| Novak Djokovic | Health (Performance, recovery) | Plant-based, not strictly vegan | Prefers "plant-based"; avoids most animal products. | Credits diet for improved performance and recovery. |
| Venus Williams | Health (Autoimmune condition) | Strict plant-based | Strict plant-based | Has a plant-based nutrition brand. |
This comparison shows that Kyrgios's path is less about rigid adherence for performance and more about a deeply personal ethical stance, even if his dietary practices have not been 100% consistent.
Has Kyrgios's Injury Hiatus Affected His Diet?
Over the past few years, Kyrgios's career has been heavily impacted by a series of injuries, including knee and wrist issues, which have led to prolonged periods of inactivity. This period of reduced on-court time has prompted questions about whether it has impacted his dietary habits.
- Reduced Athletic Demands: With fewer competitive matches, the intense pressure to maintain a strict performance-optimized diet may have lessened. This could potentially allow for more flexibility or casual choices, explaining inconsistencies like the reported seafood consumption.
- Mental Health Impact: Kyrgios has also been open about his struggles with mental health. Stress and emotional well-being can influence eating habits, and these challenges could have affected his dietary discipline at times.
- Ethical Consistency: Despite any potential dietary inconsistencies, his public commitment to animal welfare has remained steadfast. He continues to use his voice to highlight ethical motivations, suggesting the core reason for his initial change is still present.
In conclusion, while Nick Kyrgios’s diet may not be flawlessly vegan in the strictest sense, particularly given the conflicting reports of him consuming seafood in the past, his core commitment to animal welfare and environmental causes has not wavered. His journey highlights that for some, a plant-based lifestyle is a personal and ethical commitment rather than a rigid set of rules, and occasional lapses may occur, especially under the pressures of a demanding professional career and a recent injury-ridden period. As of 2025, he remains a vocal advocate for animal welfare, partnering with plant-based brands, reinforcing his ethical stance despite any past dietary inconsistencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Nick Kyrgios still a vegan as of 2025? As of 2025, Nick Kyrgios's dietary status is complex; while he maintains his ethical commitment to animal welfare and partners with vegan brands, reports of past seafood consumption mean his diet isn't strictly defined as vegan.
- Why did Nick Kyrgios become a vegan? Kyrgios initially adopted a vegan diet in 2020 due to ethical and environmental concerns, sparked by the suffering of animals during the Australian bushfires.
- What controversy has surrounded Nick Kyrgios's veganism? A significant controversy arose in 2022 when he was quoted saying he loves and eats salmon, which conflicts with a strict vegan diet and his public statements.
- Has Nick Kyrgios commented on the seafood incident? Publicly, Kyrgios has reinforced his ethical stance on animal welfare since the 2022 report, but a direct clarification on the salmon comment has not been widely publicized.
- What kind of products does Nick Kyrgios promote? He has partnered with plant-based food company Beyond Meat, leveraging his platform to promote vegan alternatives to his audience.
- Did his recent injuries affect his diet? Kyrgios's recent injury hiatus and focus on recovery have created speculation about potential dietary shifts, though his public ethical commitments have remained consistent.
- Is Kyrgios a strict vegan, or plant-based? Due to his past conflicting statements, it's more accurate to describe him as ethically committed to animal welfare and generally plant-based, rather than a strictly adhering vegan.
- How does Kyrgios's motivation differ from other vegan athletes? Unlike athletes like Novak Djokovic who are primarily motivated by performance, Kyrgios's motivation is fundamentally ethical and environmental.
Conclusion
While Nick Kyrgios initially adopted a strict vegan diet for ethical reasons following the 2020 Australian wildfires, reports of consuming seafood have led to confusion about his current adherence. Despite these inconsistencies, he remains a vocal advocate for animal welfare and partners with plant-based brands. As of 2025, his status is best described as ethically committed to a predominantly plant-based lifestyle, even if not strictly vegan in practice.
