Djokovic Coached Swiatek on Return Stance
Novak Djokovic shared his return-of-serve technique with Iga Swiatek during practice sessions in Beijing.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Tennis
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Tennis star Iga Swiatek received direct coaching on her return-of-serve stance from 39-year-old Novak Djokovic while practicing in Beijing. The session comes as Swiatek seeks to refine her form and consistency following a coaching change.
Why it matters
Swiatek is currently attempting to close a 640-point gap to qualify for the year-end WTA Finals. Improving her return game is considered essential for her to climb from her 10th-place standing in the WTA Race.
Iga Swiatek currently holds 10th place in the WTA Race, trailing eighth-placed Linda Noskova by 640 points. The six-time Grand Slam winner is now training under Francisco Roig after parting ways with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski.
The players
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic is a 39-year-old tennis professional widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.
Iga Swiatek
Iga Swiatek is a professional tennis player who has secured six Grand Slam titles during her career.
Francisco Roig
Francisco Roig is a tennis coach who has recently begun a new coaching partnership with Iga Swiatek.
Linda Noskova
Linda Noskova is a professional tennis player currently holding the eighth position in the WTA Race.
Tomasz Wiktorowski
Tomasz Wiktorowski is a professional tennis coach who previously worked with Iga Swiatek before their partnership ended.
The details
Djokovic demonstrated a middle-ground approach to the return-of-serve, advising a wider base with feet slightly open compared to his own prior forward or back-leaning stances. Swiatek participated in the session while preparing for the China Open 2026.
Timeline
April 2026: Swiatek trained at the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca.
September 26, 2026: Novak Djokovic coached Iga Swiatek on practice courts in Beijing.
September 29, 2026: Official publication of the coaching session news.
The Big Picture
This interaction highlights the collaborative environment fostered by elite training centers like the Rafa Nadal Academy, where top professionals share technical insights. Such exchanges reflect a broader trend of peer-to-peer mentorship as players seek marginal gains to remain competitive.
Swiatek must secure significant points in the upcoming China Open 2026 to shrink the 640-point deficit against Linda Noskova. Failure to improve her rank would result in missing the year-end WTA Finals in Indian Wells.
The takeaway
Top-tier athletes frequently refine their mechanics by integrating advice from veteran peers to break through performance plateaus. Readers looking to improve their own form can benefit from seeking diverse coaching perspectives to identify small, high-impact changes in their stance or technique.
Further reading
For more news and updates on the professional circuit, visit our Tennis section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Khel Now.
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