Novak Djokovic: The ‘Iron Man’ machine tennis star could put on at US Open – and what specialists make of it

Novak Djokovic has raised eyebrows at this yr’s Grand Slams by revealing a mysterious steel disc strapped to his chest.

The tennis star had the coin-like machine taped between his pectorals on the French Open and Wimbledon, and will put on it once more when the US Open begins on Monday.

His first opponent is Alexandre Muller, because the Serb goals for a record-extending twenty fourth Grand Slam males’s singles title.

The world quantity two sees the chest gadget as key to his success – so what’s it?

‘Biggest secret of my profession’

Djokovic was requested in regards to the disc after his second spherical French Open win over Marton Fucsovics in May, after it caught the eye of bemused commentators and viewers.

“When I was a kid I liked Iron Man a lot,” he mentioned, noting its resemblance to a part of the Marvel superhero’s swimsuit.

“So I try to impersonate Iron Man.”

Iron Man’s similarly-shaped chest machine powers his robotic outfit, and is designed to stop bullet shrapnel in his physique from reaching his coronary heart.

For Djokovic, no such issues. Instead, he mentioned it is all about enhancing his efficiency on the courtroom.

“My team delivers incredibly efficient nanotechnology to help me deliver my best,” he mentioned.

“That’s probably the biggest secret of my career. If it wasn’t for that, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here.”

What type of ‘nanotechnology’ is that this?

Following Djokovic’s feedback, an Italian firm known as Tao Technologies mentioned it was behind the machine.

Described as a “human upgrade device”, the patented Taopatch is designed to enhance well being and wellbeing.

It claims the patch, which “uses two layers of nanocrystals that convert heart from your body into light”, sends therapeutic alerts to the wearer’s nervous system to assist their physique obtain true stability.

Improved sleep, posture, stability, flexibility, restoration occasions, and focus, alongside reductions in stress, anxiousness, and power ache, are among the many advantages it purportedly offers.

The agency even claims the patch – which begins at £238 – has helped sufferers with a number of sclerosis.

Fabio Fontana, inventor of Taopatch and CEO of Tao Technologies, advised Sky News he was impressed to put money into the product after changing into depending on painkillers after a automobile accident.

“All the therapies I tried only provided temporary results,” he mentioned.

“A doctor in Rome was the first to give me results with laser treatments. The benefits were significant in relieving the tension in the muscles of my neck and back, but its effectiveness lasted only a week.

“I questioned if it might be potential to create a type of wearable laser to lengthen the impact of the remedy.”

The nanocrystals, he said, simulate the effect of the laser treatments he received – and that the patch is simply “a unique approach of administering mild remedy”.

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Are the claimed advantages respectable?

Tao says its patch is an authorized medical machine, in line with EU laws, nonetheless is but to be authorized by America’s medication regulator.

The agency cites research into its effectiveness on its web site. One Italian research in 2021 concluded it improved stability, motion, and affected limbs of a number of sclerosis sufferers, whereas one other that regarded into its impression on athletic efficiency mentioned it had improved individuals’ grip and squat power.

Mr Fontana additionally pointed to research into the advantages of sunshine remedy, and mentioned the patch was obtainable to all analysis establishments that wished to conduct medical trials.

But Tao’s claims have failed to maneuver some specialists.

In an article for Science-Based Medicine, Dr Harriet Hall mentioned the corporate’s rationalization “is not credible”.

Dr Brandon Beaber, a neurologist, has urged research could recommend a “little bit of benefit” anecdotally, however they remained unproven as far as a number of sclerosis remedy.

And Professor Edzard Ernst, of the University of Exeter, advised Sky News not one of the firm’s claims appeared “supported by sound evidence”.

“The notion that it generates any benefit is bogus,” he mentioned.

“The principles put forward fly in the face of science.”

Prof Ernst mentioned any profit gained by Djokovic would “entirely depend on a placebo response”.

Given Djokovic has not been banned from utilizing the patch, tennis authorities additionally seem unconvinced it offers tangible benefits.

The ATP Tour and International Tennis Federation haven’t commented on its use – and you may be forgiven for having doubts given Djokovic’s earlier well being positions.

The 36-year-old famously refused to take a COVID vaccine, and missed a number of tournaments consequently as a result of worldwide journey restrictions.

He’s additionally beforehand urged he believes some individuals have telepathic powers, gave up gluten after claiming proximity to a bit of white bread made his physique really feel weaker, and mentioned having an operation on his elbow in 2018 triggered him to really feel “like I had failed myself”.

As for the “biggest secret” of his profession, it is now out within the open.

Whether it makes any distinction or not, he’ll little question be among the many most important contenders on the US Open between now and the match’s finish on 10 September.

The 2023 US Open begins on Monday 28 August, stay on Sky Sports.