[COLUMN] So long Novak
Novak Djokovic, was sent packing by the Australian Government, much to the delight of some and the chagrin of others, writes BK Matewe
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/68/2018/02/IMG_0431_68485-e1627035378524.jpg)
Novak Djokovic, the best men’s singles tennis player on earth, was sent packing by the Australian Government, much to the delight of some and the chagrin of others.
The Australian Open that kicked off on Monday will have a new winner, as Djokovic is the reigning champion after he claimed his eighth Australian Open in 2021, which was a hat trick of back-to-back wins for the Serbian.
There are a few things about this Serbian not well documented or at least publicised, although his feats on the courts are worth appreciating – well, for those who remain open minded and opt to not throw the baby out with the bathwater.
Djokovic has pretty much remained a family man and his romantic matters have never created any impressions other than someone who values family. He stayed close with his girlfriend Jelena Ristic, who he met in their Serbian high school’s tennis programme in 2005 and tied the knot in 2014, and that union has created two children. For her part, Jelena runs the day-to-day operations of the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which primarily focuses on improving the day-to-day lives of disadvantaged children in Serbia.
Djokovic has an extremely strict diet regime, which explains why everything he ingests is gluten free, dairy free, sugar free and plant-based. It is also scientifically proven that plant-based diets prevent and reverse heart disease, improve cholesterol, and lower blood pressure. He also eats bananas during matches which is a good source of carbohydrates and potassium.
Alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jackie Chan, James Cameron and Chris Paul, Djokovic has produced a Netflix documentary, The Game Changers, which illustrates that the high protein intake required for bodybuilding, lifting, and athletic conditioning can be obtained through a complete vegan diet.
By the way, Djokovic is a polyglot and fluent in 11 international languages including English, French, Italian, German, Chinese, Spanish, Arabic, Russian, Portuguese and Japanese and his native Serbian.
Disclaimer: Northern Media Group encourages freedom of speech and the expression of diverse views. The views or opinions of columnists published in NMG publications are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of NMG.