Why Novak Djokovic Invested In Incrediwear: The Story Behind The Sleeve

He didn't just put his name on it. He put his money in. Here's why the most decorated men's tennis player in history backed wearable infrared, and the story behind his signature sleeve.

If you watched Novak Djokovic at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in March 2026, you might have noticed something on his arm: a clean, minimal white sleeve with a small embroidered logo. It wasn't a compression sleeve, and it wasn't a fashion statement. The story behind it is one of the more interesting developments in sports recovery in recent years.

That sleeve is part of the Novak x Incrediwear Signature Line, and we're proud to stock the full range. But first, the story of how the partnership came about, because it says a lot about both the athlete and the technology.

It Started With A Knee

In 2024, Djokovic underwent a knee procedure. For a 37-year-old competing at the highest level of professional tennis, recovery wasn't just important. It was everything.

During that period, Djokovic discovered Incrediwear. Not through a sponsorship deal or an agent. He found the products himself, tried them, and credits them with being part of his recovery.

That distinction matters. Professional athletes are approached constantly by brands wanting endorsement deals, and most of those deals are straightforward: wear the logo, collect the fee. What Djokovic did next was different.

In August 2025, he acquired a significant stake in Incrediwear, becoming both an investor and global brand ambassador. As reported by PR Newswire, this went well beyond a standard endorsement: Djokovic put his own money into the company to help grow it across sport, medical and wellness markets.

What Djokovic Said About The Technology

When asked about the sleeve at Indian Wells, Djokovic didn't give a scripted answer. He called it a "very unique technology," explaining that it works differently from other wearables because it uses infrared to support the body's natural recovery processes, and that it's relevant not just for athletes but for anyone dealing with everyday physical stress.

He also spoke about authenticity. As Tennis.com reported, he said health and wellness is something he cares about deeply, and that he only wants to put his name to products and businesses he genuinely believes in, acknowledging how hard it can be for people to tell what's genuine in this space.

For a platform like Nalu, where every product has to earn its place, that's significant.

The Science Behind The Sleeve

Our guide to Incrediwear's wearable infrared goes into this in detail, but here's the short version.

Incrediwear's fabric is embedded with two semiconductor elements, germanium and carbon. According to Incrediwear, your body heat activates these elements, causing them to emit infrared waves that support blood flow to the area, without compression, batteries or any power source.

That's the key difference from traditional compression sleeves. Compression works by squeezing. Incrediwear is non-compressive and designed to support circulation instead, which also makes it comfortable to wear for long periods.

Incrediwear's knee sleeves have been studied in published research, including a 2019 study in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine that found improvements in knee pain and function scores in people with mild knee osteoarthritis, and a study in the Journal of Orthopedics comparing the sleeves with compression stockings after knee replacement surgery. The research is still building, but the early findings are encouraging.

The Novak x Incrediwear Signature Line

The signature line launched in March 2026 at Indian Wells, where Djokovic wore the products on court and met fans to introduce the range. It includes three products, all available on Nalu:

The Novak Djokovic Knee Sleeve uses the same fabric as Incrediwear's standard knee sleeve, designed to support circulation around the knee and comfort during and after activity. Given that Djokovic's journey with Incrediwear started with his knee, it feels like the centrepiece of the collection. If you're weighing it up against other types of knee support, our guide to knee support for running compares the options.

The Novak Djokovic Arm Sleeve is the one most people noticed at Indian Wells. It covers the arm from bicep to wrist, making it popular with tennis and racquet sport players and anyone with stiff, tired arms after training.

The Novak Djokovic Leg Sleeves cover the lower leg, popular with runners, cyclists and anyone who wants comfortable support for their calves after exercise.

All three come in the signature all-white colourway with Novak's logo embroidered on them. The technology inside is the same as Incrediwear's core range, so the difference is the design: the same fabric, in Djokovic's signature look.

Why This Partnership Matters Beyond Tennis

It would be easy to treat this as just another celebrity endorsement. But the reason it resonates with what we do at Nalu goes deeper.

Djokovic is known as one of the most meticulous athletes in history when it comes to health, recovery and longevity. His approach to nutrition, sleep, mental preparation and physical conditioning has been documented throughout his career. He doesn't attach his name to things casually, and he doesn't invest his own money in companies he doesn't believe in.

It also reflects a wider shift in how athletes think about recovery: not as something you do only when something goes wrong, but as a continuous, everyday part of looking after your body. That philosophy sits at the heart of Nalu's Restore foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sleeve does Djokovic wear?

Djokovic wears Incrediwear, a non-compressive sleeve made with germanium and carbon-embedded fabric. His Novak x Incrediwear Signature Line includes a knee sleeve, arm sleeve and leg sleeves in an all-white colourway.

Does Djokovic own Incrediwear?

In August 2025, Djokovic acquired a significant stake in Incrediwear and became an investor and global brand ambassador.

Where can I buy the Novak Djokovic knee sleeve in the UK?

Nalu stocks the full Novak x Incrediwear Signature Line, including the knee sleeve, arm sleeve and leg sleeves, with UK delivery.

The Full Incrediwear Range On Nalu

The signature line is the newest addition, but we stock the full Incrediwear range, including the Incrediwear Knee Sleeve, sleeves for the ankle, elbow, wrist, calf and shoulder, a back brace, hip brace, circulation socks, gloves and more. Every product uses the same fabric technology.

You don't need to be a 24-time Grand Slam champion to wear the same technology Djokovic does. That's the point.

Explore the Novak Djokovic Signature Line, browse the full Incrediwear collection, or get in touch with our team if you'd like help choosing.