23. Novak Djokovic and the Pseudoscience Grand Slam

When it comes to Grand Slam titles, Novak Djokovic has eclipsed every other male tennis player in history. He’s the only man to be the reigning champion of all four majors simultaneously across three surfaces, and by securing his 23rd trophy at the French Open 2023, the Serbian national perhaps cemented his place as the greatest player of all time. Such prominence invites scrutiny, and in several competitions this past year, it was difficult to overlook a conspicuous device taped to Djokovic’s chest. The Italian manufacturer of TaoPatch claims their device uses nanotechnology to “convert natural body heat into microscopic beams of light to stimulate the nervous system.” They maintain that the device is supported by thousands of physicians and over 50 clinical studies, but of the eight studies cited on their website, only four were related to the device and only one was placebo-controlled. Djokovic has called TaoPatch the biggest secret of his career. Scientists have called it nonsense. For Djokovic, it’s just the tip of a pseudoscience iceberg which, due to his notoriety, is creating a ripple effect throughout the sporting world. 

• The Skeptic's Guide to Sports Science BOOK: https://www.nbtiller.com
• Skeptical Inquirer magazine: https://www.skepticalinquirer.org
• Original article & references: https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/novak-djokovic-and-the-pseudoscience-grand-slam/

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