Artem Sitak
Winning the Davis Cup tie in Auckland against South Korea last September was a career highlight for the Russian-born New Zealand professional tennis player, who paired up at Wimbledon with Divij Sharan from India.
What do you look forward to eating in England?
The food at the players’ restaurant at Wimbledon is very good. I enjoy the salmon and tuna.
Have you had personalised nutrition advice? I went to doctors in the US to get an idea of what I should be eating, with an emphasis on high-fat foods: avocados, salmon, nuts, etc.
What do you eat before competing? I usually have fish with vegetables two to three hours before a match.
What about fluid intake? Hydration is very important. I make sure I drink at least a litre per set, and when it’s hot, a litre and a half.
Who – dead or alive – would you most like to have as a dinner guest? English comedian Lee Mack or Roger Federer.
What did you like to eat while growing up? My favourite food was a dish called plov, a Russian version of paella.
Do you make a priority of healthy eating in everyday life or is your diet determined by your sport? It’s mostly passion for tennis, but nowadays eating healthily is very tasty.
What do you eat for breakfast? Today I had eggs with salmon and a coffee.
What about for lunch? Fish and vegetables, with a bowl of nuts with blueberries. That’s my typical lunch on a match day.
What about snacking? I mostly have nuts – almonds – and fruit from time to time. I only snack if I’m feeling a bit hungry.
What’s your favourite evening meal? Sashimi or steak and vegetables.
What’s food hell in your book? Any type of fast food.
Any food mistakes? Sometimes I crack. At a players’ party at a tournament in Marrakesh, they had a huge macaroon platter – I ate about 10.
What nutritional guidance have you found helpful? The advice that I needed to have a high-fat diet was eye-opening. I stopped being hungry all the time and needing to eat so much and had more energy for playing. I wish I‘d been told that early
in my career.