England, Jun24: Novak Djokovic begins defense of his first Wimbledon title Monday—and he also begins preparing for the Summer Olympics.
The tennis portion of the London Games will be held on the same grass courts at the All England Club, starting July 28, three weeks after Wimbledon ends.
Djokovic says Sunday that while he and other tennis players are excited about an extra chance to play for a prize on their sport's most hallowed ground, he doesn't think “Wimbledon can be rehearsal for anything.”
The top-ranked Serb will face former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero in the Grand Slam tournament's first match on Centre Court, an honor given the previous year's male champion.
Others scheduled to play on Day 1: Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams.
