Vogue

The traditional Chinese medicine practice that Novak Djokovic brought to Wimbledon 2026

https://www.vogue.com/article/novak-djokovic-ear-seeding-wimbledon-2026 

BY ANNA CAFOLLA 

July 11, 2026

Lately, you may have spotted a few celebrities sporting what looks like a constellation of glittering gold studs on their ear lolos – it's ear seeding. And Novak Djokovic took the practice to Centre Court at Wimbledon 2026. When he faced Jannik Sinner, the Serbian tennis star and world No. 1, he had telltale signs in his ears. 

Originating in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), ear seeding is a form of auriculotherapy, which is a treatment method that uses acupressure techniques on the ear. The small seeds, usually made from materials such as gold, plastic, and herbs, are placed on particular pressure points on the ear to stimulate healing, relieve anxiety or pain, promote mind-body balance, and combat fatigue. (Fatigue and injury have been problems for the player in the past.) The goal, a 3,000-year goal with TCM, is to balance the body's energy flow (also known as Qi) through specific pathways in the body called meridians.

"There's an auditory reflexology map where your ear literally reflects every system and organ in your body," Ava Lee, founder of the K-beauty brand By Ava, previously told Vogue. "You have all these different pressure points that you can target with acupuncture or ear seeds to stimulate them." For example, there is the "focused" area of the ears (probably a point of interest for Djokovic), which is located on the upper earlobe, right above where a traditional ear piercing would be located. Dr. Nicole Glathe, D.A.M., L.C., Diplom., an acupuncture and oriental medicine physician thinks it's one of the easiest ways to "tap into the body's ability to rebalance and regulate itself." Several scientific studies reflect real long-term benefits, particularly for pain management as it activates the body's natural pain-relieving hormones, something that the players of this Wimbledon have had problems with.

And so, the seeding of the ear makes sense within Novak Djokovic's philosophy of well-being and health; Designed for optimal fitness, strength, recovery, and longevity. She follows a gluten and dairy-free diet and practices breathing, yoga, intermittent fasting, sauna and ice baths. He even talked about hugging trees as a grounding practice. Djokovic is also the global wellness consultant for the ultra-luxurious hotel brand Aman, curating wellness and recovery programs for Aman resorts based on his practices.

Another great advantage of acupressure for international tennis players? It can be used on the road, on its own: whether it's ear seeding, or acupressure massage rings and acupressure mat.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is no stranger to bringing his feel-good sensibilities to the tennis court. In the 2023 Wimbledon tournament, he wore a small puck on his chest: a Taopatch. It is described by the company as a "human upgrade device" that combines acupressure with light therapy and nanotechnology. One study found that the patch helped users with posture, helps eliminate pain, reduce stress, and aids concentration. 

It's a complementary practice that works alongside conventional healing, so while Djokovic was defeated at Wimbledon, expect to see him soon back on clay or grass with that minimalist pile of gold in his ears, fighting fit.