Another step forward: Novak Djokovic hits at Wimbledon wearing compression knee sleeve

While Wimbledon qualifying began Monday at Roehampton, familiar faces were on the grounds of SW19 a week before main-draw action gets underway.

Among the champions spotted: Novak Djokovic.

The 24-time major winner is in a mad dash to be fit for the grass-court major after suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee that led to withdrawing ahead of the Roland Garros quarterfinals. Having undergone surgery, Djokovic shared a video of his progress at the end of last week.

Back at the All England Club, the 37-year-old hit with a compression sleeve covering the impacted area while rocking a Lacoste t-shirt adorning his last name. He also wore a sleeve on his right arm.

“I didn’t come here to play a few rounds. You can never really know 100 percent once you start a tournament what’s going to happen after eventual first match or second match,” Djokovic told the BBC.

“But I’m going to take it day by day and then make a decision based on, of course, the feeling or the observation or the conclusion that I and team members have made over the next four, five, six days. If I know that I can play close to my maximum, or at maximum, then I’ll play. If not, then I’ll give somebody else the chance to play.”

Earlier this month, Djokovic saw Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz surpass him in the ATP rankings (Djokovic returned to No. 2 today ahead of Alcaraz). The Serbian is bidding to win his eighth Wimbledon title, having finished runner-up to Alcaraz in last year’s final following a run of four consecutive crowns.

The Spaniard was also seen training on site as he gears up for his title defense.

Alcaraz, who triumphed in Paris for his third major title on three different surfaces, won’t have the same preparation as he did a year ago when he lifted the trophy at the Queen’s Club. The 21-year-old was ousted by home favorite Jack Draper in the second round of the London-based ATP 500 event.

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