Like most tennis fans, Healthy Hollywood was glued to the TV watching the U.S. Open Men’s Final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
The world champions slugged it out and put on an incredible, heart-racing show, but Nadal took home the top prize.
Healthy Hollywood is always in awe of the top players and their out-of-this-world athletic ability. But, during the entire tournament I was obsessed with Novak’s super lean body – this guy appears to have zero body fat. I know Novak switched to a gluten-free, dairy-free diet to supercharge his body.
Healthy Hollywood got a chance to meet Novak and he said as an elite athlete your body is top priority. “I have to be – I’m a pro athlete. You got to take care of your body and what you eat and drink and obviously be very disciplined in your daily regimens to have a shot at being the world’s best.”
As for his loss to his rival, Nadal, Novak humbly replied, “It’s been a tough loss. Not the first time and not the last time I’m going to lose. It happened yesterday. It’s been a great tournament, but already today I’m focused on the fundraiser event and having a beautiful evening.”
Healthy Hollywood caught up with Novak at his second annual fundraiser for the Novak Djokovic Foundation. Besides being an on-court champ, the Serbian native is an incredible humanitarian off-the-court. He started his own charity to help the people from his war-torn home country. Novak is extremely grateful for the opportunity he’s had to even learn tennis – a rarity in his country. “I come from a war-torn country that’s been through a lot of difficulties in the last 25 years. I’m very privileged and fortunate to be given the opportunity to play tennis. I’m fortunate because I had the great support of family and friends who believed in me. But, unfortunately, I’m one of the very few. Lots of kids don’t have facilities or programs, they don’t have any future and they can’t dream. They live in fear.”
As a result of his good fortune, Novak is dedicated to helping Serbian kids get a shot at their dream. “What our foundation is doing is raising awareness about pre-school education. Serbia has low rate of kids from age 2 to 7 going to any pre-school institution. We know it’s so important for their lives to raise awareness, for that, to realize potential. We’re doing our best. When I’m in Serbia I do my best and it breaks my heart to see condition kids are living in.”
Last night, with help of his celebrity friends, like GoldieHawn, Adrianna Lima and Randy Jackson, Novak hoped to raise over $1.5 million.
Now, that’s what Healthy Hollywood likes to see a winner on and off the court.
For more on Novaks’ foundation, check out www.novakdjokovicfoundation.org.
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