Learning from Dr. Igor Četojević
The doctor who transformed Novak Djokovic from "sick note" to greatest of all time
The Story
In January 2010, Dr. Igor Četojević watched Novak Djokovic struggle at the Australian Open. The Serbian tennis star was collapsing mid-match, vomiting, and suffering mysterious respiratory issues.
Medical experts diagnosed asthma, heat exhaustion, poor conditioning.
Dr. Četojević saw something else entirely: a digestive problem causing toxins to accumulate in the lungs.
Six months later, using a simple "arm test" with a piece of bread, he diagnosed Djokovic with gluten intolerance. The transformation that followed was unprecedented:
- 2011: Djokovic went 43-0, won three Grand Slams, and became World #1
- 2012: Beat Nadal in the longest Grand Slam final ever (5 hours, 53 minutes)—the same player who once retired from exhaustion
- 2022: Won his 21st Grand Slam at age 35
Djokovic credits Četojević as the architect of his career: "My life changed because I had begun to eat the right foods for my body, in the way that my body demanded."
Who is Dr. Igor Četojević?
| Credential | Detail |
|---|---|
| Background | Medical Doctor (MD) AND trained acupuncturist/TCM practitioner |
| Known For | Transforming Novak Djokovic's career; integrative performance medicine |
| Philosophy | "Energy Medicine"—treating the whole system, not just symptoms |
| Approach | Combining Western diagnostics with Eastern wisdom |
Četojević bridges two worlds: the empirical rigor of Western medicine and the holistic wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
What ISP Students Learn
Lesson 1: Your Fuel Might Be Your Kryptonite
Before Djokovic, the sports world believed pasta was the perfect pre-match fuel. Carbs = energy = performance.
Četojević challenged this orthodoxy: What if the "fuel" is actually poisoning certain individuals?
For Djokovic, gluten wasn't neutral fuel—it was actively sabotaging his performance:
- Triggering inflammation in the gut
- Causing "leaky gut" (intestinal permeability)
- Creating respiratory congestion
- Impairing recovery and mental clarity
The transformation: Removing gluten extinguished the inflammatory fire. Energy previously wasted on immune defense became available for performance.
What this means for young athletes: The "healthy" food everyone recommends might not be healthy for YOU. Pay attention to how specific foods affect your energy, digestion, and recovery.
Lesson 2: The Body Is a System, Not Separate Parts
Traditional sports medicine treats symptoms in isolation: knee pain? See the knee specialist. Respiratory issues? See the pulmonologist.
Četojević's approach: "You cannot treat the knee without considering the liver; you cannot treat the liver without considering the emotion stored within it."
The insight: Djokovic's breathing problems weren't in his lungs—they originated in his gut. Digestive inflammation was causing systemic issues that manifested as respiratory distress.
What this means for young athletes: When something isn't working, look at the whole system. Your energy problem might be a sleep problem. Your injury might be a nutrition problem. Everything connects.
Lesson 3: HOW You Eat Matters as Much as WHAT You Eat
Četojević prescribes strict eating rituals that go beyond food selection:
| Rule | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Chew 30-50 times | Digestion begins in the mouth; unchewed food ferments in the gut |
| No cold water | Cold drinks "extinguish digestive fire" and slow enzyme activity |
| No phones while eating | Stress blocks digestion; you can't be in "fight or flight" AND "rest and digest" |
| Pause for gratitude | Shifts nervous system to parasympathetic, priming digestion |
"Switch off your phone while eating—everything can wait for you."
What this means for young athletes: Don't eat while stressed, distracted, or rushed. Your body can't properly absorb nutrients when your nervous system is in defensive mode.
Lesson 4: The Morning Ritual
Četojević's morning protocol for Djokovic:
- 2 spoonfuls of high-grade Manuka honey
- Large glass of warm water
Why it works:
- Manuka honey provides clean energy to replenish liver glycogen depleted overnight
- Antibacterial properties support gut health
- Warm water aids digestion without shocking the system
- Prevents cortisol spike from waking up in "fuel depleted" state
What this means for young athletes: How you start your day matters. A thoughtful morning routine sets the tone for everything that follows.
Key Takeaways
| Lesson | One-Liner |
|---|---|
| Test your assumptions | "Healthy" foods might be harming YOU specifically |
| Think systems | Problems in one area often originate elsewhere |
| Ritualize eating | How you eat matters as much as what you eat |
| Morning matters | Start with intention and proper fuel |
How This Shows Up at ISP
Dr. Četojević's holistic approach shapes how ISP thinks about the whole athlete:
- We teach that nutrition is individual—there's no universal "perfect diet"
- We emphasize the gut-brain connection in recovery
- Students learn about eating habits, not just food lists
- The importance of environment and stress on performance is taught
When ISP students learn about nutrition, they learn that they're optimizing a system, not just filling a tank.
The Two-Week Experiment
Want to test if a food is affecting you? Try the Četojević method:
- Eliminate completely for 14 days (pick one: gluten, dairy, sugar)
- Note how you feel: Energy, sleep, digestion, mental clarity
- Reintroduce: Eat a meaningful amount of the eliminated food
- Pay attention: How do you feel the next 24-48 hours?
Djokovic felt lighter and clearer after two weeks gluten-free. When he ate a bagel, he felt "like he had a hangover."
The body provides feedback—you just have to listen.
Learn More
"The best player will not necessarily win. The winner is the person who can best adapt to his or her surroundings and maintain an equilibrium."