Donna Vekić, a professional tennis player, has achieved remarkable success in her career, winning four singles titles and earning a silver medal at the 2024 Olympics. This year, she reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, further cementing her reputation as one of the sport’s top competitors. Vekić recently shared a glimpse of her fitness routine on Instagram, posting a story of herself in black workout clothes at the gym. Beyond her time on the court, Vekić prioritizes healthy eating, balanced nutrition, and consistent fueling to maintain peak performance. She’s also candid about her journey, including the challenges she faced after knee surgery. Reflecting on her comeback, Vekić emphasizes the hard work and determination that have brought her to new heights in her career. Here’s how she stays focused and at the top of her game.
1. She Plays Tennis
Tennis is the main thing that keeps Vekić in shape. According to Lee Health, the sport has a lot of health benefits. “Paul Zavala, an occupational therapist at Lee Health, says tennis contributes to fitness, strength, agility, flexibility, reflexes, and overall health. Tennis helps you learn better footwork and balance since mobility is a key to properly hitting the ball. Tennis utilizes upper, core, and lower body muscles – but it’s also one of the best cardiovascular and aerobic exercises you can do. Playing a few sets increases oxygen flow, circulation, and helps you fight back heart disease. That kind of physical workout also decreases lipids, which helps lower cholesterol.”
2. She Eats Healthy
Since she’s a professional athlete, Vekić has to eat a healthy diet. She talked about her approach to eating in an interview with Tennis.com. Vekić says that balance is a big factor in her diet. “Nutrition is very important—up to 70 percent of helping you play your best—but we can also get away with taking a few liberties here and there. It all comes down to timing, and when you’re eating right.”
3. She Works With A Nutritionist
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Vekić revealed in her Tennis.com interview that she decided to work with a nutritionist to help her plan meals and eat better. “I started working with a nutritionist in the last off-season, so I had a set meal plan, but it’s a bit trickier to follow it when I’m on the road. I have to eat a lot in restaurants, which can make it harder to plan ahead, as opposed to when I’m able to cook at home.”
4. She Consistently Fuels Herself
When Vekić is on the court, she has to stay fueled. She revealed her pre, during, and post game foods in her Tennis.com interview. “I try to eat about two hours before a match, but if the match before mine goes longer than planned, I will have a small snack, like an energy bar or a banana. Afterward, I try not to eat carbs for dinner, and I try to eat my dinner early because I think it helps me sleep better.”
5. She’s Proud Of Herself
Donna Veki/Instagram
Vekić had a great competitive year, and she’s extremely proud of it. She revealed that she nearly quit tennis after knee surgery in an interview with AP News, which is why she’s so proud of herself. “Those couple of years were very tough. I didn’t think I was ever going to come back to the level that I even had last year. So this now, reaching my best result ever at a Slam, I’m really proud of myself, of the work that I’ve done, of the work that my team has done. I’m very thankful to them for believing in me when I didn’t.”
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Sofia Kenin/Instagram
