Roger Federer is skipping the clay season so that he can be as fit and fresh as possible for the 2018 Wimbledon Championships.
Even at 36, Federer continues to marvel on the courts, and he triumphed at the first major of the year, the Australian Open.
But to maintain his sporting dominance, Federer has to eat right. So what sort of food does a 20-time Grand Slam tennis champion eat?
To start his day, Federer prefers to go sweet rather than savoury and reportedly enjoys homemade waffles with a fresh fruit compote on the morning of a match. To wash the waffles down, Federer often has fresh juice, coffee, and a vinegar shot.
Before tennis, Federer will eat a plate of pasta. “Two hours before every match, I eat pasta with light sauce … I have been doing it for 20 years. In between practice sessions or competition matches, Federer is no stranger to snack bars.
He also eats bananas, which are a good source of carbohydrate and potassium. When tennis players contest long matches, their energy levels may lull and they may succumb to cramp if they lose too much potassium. Bananas help players like Federer refuel. However, research suggests that energy drinks may be a superior way of replenishing an athlete’s body during competition. This is because the body absorbs liquids quicker than solid foods, like a banana.
When Federer goes out for dinner, variety is clearly the spice of life. “I am a lover of Italian, Japanese, and Indian restaurants,” he said recently.
It’s not all health foods, though. Federer does have a sweet tooth and can’t resist ice cream. “I like my ice cream, I like my chocolate,” he said in 2017. “That’s my diet. I like my treats. I don’t feel bad about it. I can do it and play tennis at the same time.”
Being Swiss, he is no stranger to cheeses and likes to eat fonduta, a dish that combines milk, cream, cheese, and egg yolk. He also has raclette, a cheese that’s melted and scraped onto a plate.
Federer has also tried local delicacies in other countries, including Scotland. He once received Irn-Bru and a tin of shortbread biscuits made especially by Andy Murray’s grandmother.
One thing Federer doesn’t eat is wombat meat. It was an allegation he denied during a bizarre interview conducted by Will Ferrell, who channelled Ron Bergundy, his character in the hit comedy movie “Anchorman,” at the 2018 Australian Open.
