- Roger Federer remains an elite competitor at the highest echelons of world tennis.
- But to stay on top of his game at 38 years old, he has to eat right.
- For Federer, that means cheese.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Roger Federer remains a fierce competitor at the highest echelons of world tennis.
He has 20 Grand Slam titles on his record, and he shows no real signs of slowing down.
As he turns 38 on Thursday, Federer continues to marvel on the courts. But to maintain his sporting dominance, he has to eat right. So what sort of food does the face of tennis eat?
Here's everything Federer likes to have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
This is 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, who is widely considered as the best male tennis player of all time.
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.
Source: The Guardian
To wash the waffles down, Federer has fresh juice, coffee, and a vinegar shot.
Source: The Guardian
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."
Source: International Business Times
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.
Source: BBC
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.
Source: BBC
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.
Source: International Business Times
He even likes to take selfies with his naan bread.
Source: Instagram
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."
Source: News
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 (pictured), a cheese that's melted and scraped onto a plate.
Source: International Business Times
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.
Can’t get a warmer welcome than this. Thanks @andy_murray ... is this your usual pre-match routine? 🍪 pic.twitter.com/mWntwqvDPA
— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) November 7, 2017
Source: Twitter
One thing Federer doesn't eat is wombat meat. It was an allegation he denied during a bizarre interview conducted by Will Ferrell, who channeled Ron Bergundy, his character in the hit comedy movie "Anchorman," at the 2018 Australian Open.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLlS6WhgH_0?start=83
Source: Australian Open TV
Federer drinks alcohol if he is celebrating success. He may look dapper here in his tuxedo and his glass of Champagne, but sometimes he doesn't just have one glass and suffered a "head-ringing" hangover when he mixed his drinks until 5 a.m., the morning after his eighth Wimbledon title, in 2017.
Happy new year from Perth everyone, 2017 was unreal. 2018 here we come.
🎇🎆 pic.twitter.com/nFtTfNlpjQ— Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) December 31, 2017
Source: Twitter and Business Insider
Sometimes there's not a trophy big enough for Federer's Champagne diet ...
But that doesn't seem to be holding him back.
