Novak Djokovic Claims “Nanotechnology” Led To His Success At French Open
After winning a record 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open on Sunday, tennis star Novak Djokovic has claimed that a small patch stuck to his chest, powered by “nanotechnology,” is the secret to his success on the court. However, this falls in line with his promotion of questionable wellness trends.
Novak Djokovic during his match against Juan Pablo Varillas on Philippe CHATRIER court in The French … [+]
Key Facts
Djokovic was first seen with a mysterious metal patch taped to his body during a second-round French Open match against Marton Fucsovics in late May.
Djokovic later told reporters that the patch uses “incredibly efficient nanotechnology” to help him deliver his best on the court. He also mentioned that without it, he “probably wouldn’t be sitting here.”
The tennis star had claimed he was trying to “impersonate” Marvel superhero Iron Man, as he liked the character a lot when he was a kid.
The Italian company Tao Technologies sells the “TaoPatch” that Djokovic used, which they claim is “activated by sunlight and body heat” and emits “photons towards the body providing several health benefits.” The company further claims that the TaoPatch “nourishes the body with wavelengths of therapeutic light, without side effects or the release of any chemicals.”
The company cites a study published in the peer-reviewed medical journal Minerva Medica to back their claims. However, the cited abstract only mentions preliminary findings.
Neither French Open officials nor the ATP have commented on the patch or its legality.
What We Don’t Know
We don’t know if Djokovic has an endorsement deal with Tao Technologies or is simply a consumer of their product. Additionally, the company claims to be in the process of getting registered with the FDA but states that this “could take months to finalize.” We have reached out to the FDA for comment. Furthermore, the company’s website lists two versions of the patch called the TaoPatch Start and the TaoPatch Sport (worn by Djokovic), but only the latter is available for sale on the website.
News Peg
Djokovic won the French Open on Sunday, defeating Casper Ruud after three sets. With this win, Djokovic surpassed Rafael Nadal and became the tennis player with the most Grand Slam titles to his name, at 23.
Key Background
Djokovic has been criticized in the past for endorsing wellness fads and pseudoscience. He has been vocal about his opposition to vaccination and refused to take a Covid-19 vaccine, which caused him to miss several top tournaments, including two Grand Slams, last year. In a 2022 interview with the BBC, Djokovic stated that, as an “elite professional athlete,” he closely reviews anything he consumes – including food and supplements. Based on the available information, he chose not to get vaccinated. Djokovic has also been on a gluten-free diet for over a decade due to his purported intolerance. However, he allegedly came to this conclusion initially because of an unscientific test by a doctor, during which he was asked to hold a piece of bread while his strength was tested.
Further Reading
Djokovic: ‘Incredibly efficient nanotechnology’ is the biggest secret of my career (The Telegraph)
Novak Djokovic’s mysterious chest device revealed to be ‘Human Upgrade Device’ (Sportskeeda)
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Jessica Irvine is a tech enthusiast specializing in gadgets. From smart home devices to cutting-edge electronics, Jessica explores the world of consumer tech, offering readers comprehensive reviews, hands-on experiences, and expert insights into the coolest and most innovative gadgets on the market.
