"I loved Iron Man": what is the real reason for the presence of a metal chip on Novak Djokovic?

Jean-Baptiste Sarrazin / Photo credit: Victor Joly / DPPI 18:00 pm, June 01, 2023

It is a small metal chip that makes a lot of talk. During his victory against Hungary's Marton Fucsovics in the 2nd round of Roland-Garros, Novak Djokovic changed jerseys during a change of side. A moment that intrigued tennis fans since the Serb appeared with a small patch, silver, stuck on the chest. Doping, new technology, non-smoking patches... There has been a lot of speculation on social media.

Novak Djokovic = @Iron_Man#RolandGarrospic.twitter.com/iwFBWRZCCr

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 31, 2023

Questioned later in a press conference, the world number 3 ironically commented on the presence of this small chip. "When I was a kid, I loved Iron Man, so I try to impersonate Iron Man," he joked. Asked then about the usefulness of this chip, the one who aims for the record number of Grand Slam tournaments this year at Roland-Garros (23rd title) stressed that it was "an incredibly effective nanotechnology to help on the field".

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Tao Patch

But in reality, it would be a Tao Patch, a technological nanodevice to wear on the body. According to its creators, it would capture body heat to generate a stimulus in the central nervous system of the athlete. This small chip would thus improve the posture, flexibility and concentration of athletes. It would also reduce stress, anxiety and chronic pain. But the usefulness of this patch has not yet been scientifically proven.

Djokovic is still talking about sports. At the end of last season, a curious video showing his team preparing in the stands a liquid mixture used by the world number two during a match of the Masters 1000 of Paris-Bercy had sparked many debates.