Novak Djokovic gives Iga Swiatek return-of-serve coaching on Beijing practice courts ahead of China Open
Novak Djokovic showed Iga Swiatek a return-of-serve stance on the practice courts in Beijing ahead of the China Open on September 29, 2026, with video of the interaction circulating online. The clip, shared on social media, captured Djokovic walking the six-time Grand Slam champion through adjustments to her stance.
Djokovic demonstrated a wider base with his feet slightly open and told Swiatek the position had evolved over his career, saying he stood bent forward when younger, leaned back a few years ago, and now occupied what he called a middle ground. Swiatek thanked him and Djokovic told her they would talk more soon before resuming his own practice. The brief exchange was posted with the caption: novak giving iga some adviceđź“ą rednote pic.twitter.com/RkoXZC8zA8
Earlier this season Swiatek also sought guidance from Rafael Nadal and trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca in early April 2026. Those sessions preceded other changes to her support team and on-court approach during 2026.
Djokovic has offered similar help to other players: Aryna Sabalenka spent a session hitting with him at Wimbledon 2025, where he jokingly told her she was lacking intensity and that her game was too flat; Sabalenka later said their hour-long chat helped her approach the biggest matches. Djokovic has also spent considerable time with 18-year-old American Iva Jovic, who considers the 39-year-old as her idol. “He makes time for young players,” Jovic said, adding that Djokovic always found time to help her with technical and mental aspects of the game.
Swiatek’s form in 2026 has been mixed: she has not won a Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2025 and 2026 is the first season in five years without a major title. She lost to Marta Kostyuk in the Roland Garros fourth round and was defeated by Qinwen Zheng at the US Open 2026 after leading 5-0 in the opening set; she also ended her three-year partnership with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski and began working with Francisco Roig. Swiatek recently triumphed at the Canadian Open but will be seeking greater consistency across surfaces and competitions.
In the WTA Race Swiatek sits 10th, 640 points behind eighth-placed Linda Noskova; only the top eight qualify for the year-end WTA Finals in Indian Wells. Furthermore, since the Czech player has won the Wimbledon title, she will secure qualification if she maintains her place in the top 20, and the article notes Elena Rybakina’s route to qualification last year as a possible model.
With the Beijing Masters 2026 approaching, Swiatek will attempt to apply the coaching she received and close the 640-point gap to reach the top eight and secure a place at the year-end WTA Finals in Indian Wells.