Novak Djokovic surprised everyone by confessing that he was on a cruel diet. The leader of the world ranking confessed that he stays fasting 16 hours a day and surprisingly, he has been eating it for 18 months.

The Serb made this revelation in a show made LIVE on social networks by doctor Dragan Ivanov, a specialist in internal medicine. The 32-year-old claims that the reason is to cleanse and purify the body.

“Staying 16 hours a day without food has helped improve my digestive system. I sleep better and have more energy throughout the day,” Djokovic was quoted as saying by Tennisworld.

Dr. Ivanov was not at all surprised to hear this. Moreover, he explained the benefits.

“If we don’t eat anything for 12 hours, our brain starts looking for reserves. If it finds a microorganism, a pathogenic bacterium, it destroys and recycles them. The brain will then find the reserves that give extra energy from decomposed materials.

If we have lunch at 14.00 or 15.00, after 12 hours this mechanism starts. It cleanses our body and prepares the fuel for the next day. But the process can take between 12 and 16 hours, depending on the individual.

Melatonin secretion will be better if we do not have food in the intestines. As a lifestyle, it is ideal to have breakfast in the morning, then lunch around 14.00 – 15.00 and then not to eat anything until breakfast the next day. This routine would protect us from many diseases “, the doctor explained.

Novak Djokovic wants to break Roger Federer’s records

Novak Djokovic managed a perfect start to the 2020 season, with 18 victories out of as many titles and titles at the ATP Cup, Australian Open and Dubai. The Serbian player admits that he sets major goals for the coming years, when he wants to break the records held by Roger Federer, the tennis player with the most Grand Slam titles won, 20, and the longest time at the top of the world rankings, 310 in total.

“I have to admit that I have a lot of confidence in myself. I am convinced that I can win more Grand Slam titles and break the record for the most weeks spent on the 1st place in the world. Certainly, these are my goals. I don’t believe in limits “, said Novak Djokovic, according to Mundodeportivo.

Until the beginning of March, when the ATP ranking was “frozen”, Novak Djokovic gathered 282 weeks on the first place in the world ranking, 28 less than Federer.

After the victory in Melbourne, Djokovic reached 17 Grand Slam titles won in his career. In such an all-time hierarchy, Roger Federer holds the supremacy, with 20 trophies, while Rafael Nadal is in second place, with 19 Grand Slam titles.