Dear Mr Murray,

I understand that the change in Mr Djokovic’s tennis diet has enticed you to make a few dietary changes of your own. I quote:

“I’m having a lot more fish and vegetables and trying to have a more balanced diet rather than just the typical pasta before matches and steaks and chicken.”

“Breakfast is quite difficult because normally I could have bagels and any spreads. And then snacks during the day. Rather than having a chocolate bar, I’m having an apple or a banana.”

“It’s something that, now I know how I feel, I wish I had been doing it longer. I feel way better. I wake up at 7am now and feel great. Before I would wake up at 9.30 and feel terrible.”

Why do I feel like every mother who has banged her head against a brick wall, trying, in vain, to get her son to change his eating habits only to find that he only finally does it when he meets a new best friend and copies his more nutritious eating regime?

It’s been a good three years that I’ve been writing to your coaches and friends trying to explain to you that the cheapest and most adaptable tool for improving your game is within arm’s reach…but to no avail.  The replies that kept coming back to me were, ‘he knows’, ‘he’s changing coaches’ or ‘now’s not the time’.

Well, my dear Mr Murray, I am so happy for you that you have finally found the time to take a more serious look at your tennis nutrition.  Since the days when you used to have a morning cup of coffee with your then coach, Brad Gilbert, I winced at the thought of what that mistimed cup of anti-nutrient was doing to your energy levels, mental focus and mineral status.

Nevertheless, I commend you on having finally seen the light and would like to provide you with a little help where breakfast is concerned…to be continued.

Need more help with breakfast?

Check out tomorrow’s blog.