Iga Swiatek has been given a glimpse into Novak Djokovic’s approach to returning serve, with the Polish star seen seeking advice from the Serbian legend during a training session in Beijing. The exchange came just days before the China Open begins, with Djokovic offering thoughts on one of the most important aspects of his own game to one of the WTA Tour’s leading players.
Swiatek arrived safely in Beijing ahead of the WTA 1000 tournament, which begins on Wednesday, September 30, alongside the ATP 500 event on the men’s side. The 24-year-old will be looking to make the most of the final stretch of the season after another year among the leading players on the WTA Tour.
The session also continues an interesting trend for Swiatek, who has previously received advice from Rafael Nadal. The Polish star has now had the opportunity to learn from another member of tennis royalty, with Djokovic taking the time to explain some of the details behind his return position during their conversation.
Djokovic, meanwhile, is preparing for his first tournament since his first-round defeat at the US Open late last month. At 39, the Serbian may no longer be producing results at the same rate as during the peak of his career, but his influence within the sport remains considerable, with players from both tours continuing to seek his experience.
Djokovic shares his return advice with Swiatek
Footage from the training session showed Swiatek listening closely as Djokovic explained how his return position has changed throughout his career. Rather than describing it as a fixed technical detail, the 24-time Grand Slam champion stressed that his positioning has developed as his game and physical abilities have changed.
“As I said, I have a bit more wide like this, I try to have the feet open a little bit, I try to open a little bit more because… but it has evolved," Djokovic said to Swiatek in a video posted on social media. "When I was younger, I was standing a little more like this, bent over forward. Now, and then before, maybe five, six years ago, I was here, leaning back slightly. And now I’m here, middle ground stance. So, it’s evolving.”
The exchange appeared to be focused specifically on Swiatek’s position when preparing to receive serve, giving her the chance to hear directly from a player who has made returning one of the defining parts of his game.
Djokovic then suggested that the conversation could continue, although he also offered a glimpse into the pressures surrounding his own preparations. “We’ll talk more. My coach is already, I feel, here,” he said while gesturing towards the back of his neck. “A lot of pressure.”
Swiatek thanked Djokovic for the advice, with the Serbian simply responding that it was “no problem”.
The interaction is another example of Djokovic’s willingness to share his experience with players around him. Felix Auger-Aliassime, Joao Fonseca and Iva Jovic are among the younger stars who have previously benefited from his advice, while Darren Cahill revealed last year that Djokovic had also offered guidance relating to Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic’s physiotherapist has previously spoken about the Serbian’s enjoyment of helping younger players improve their games. Swiatek is hardly an emerging prospect herself, however. The Pole is already a six-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, making the exchange between the two particularly notable.
For Swiatek, the session also comes after she benefited from advice from another all-time great earlier this year. Her conversations with Nadal attracted attention because of the Spaniard’s influence on her clay-court game, and she has now added Djokovic to the list of legends whose experience she can draw from.
Rafa teaching Iga the secret to his iconic buggy whip forehand at the @rnadalacademy 😍#swiatek #nadal pic.twitter.com/FeRlTowwBm
— Lukasinho (@LukasFCB321) April 6, 2026
What comes next for Swiatek and Djokovic?
Swiatek will now turn her attention to the China Open, where she will begin her campaign on Wednesday. The tournament represents another important opportunity in the final part of her season before she travels to Wuhan for the final WTA 1000 event of the year.
The six-time Grand Slam champion is still fighting for a place at the WTA Finals and currently sits 10th in the Race. With qualification still within reach, Swiatek needs a deep run in the Asian swing, with a title at one of the remaining WTA 1000 tournaments potentially crucial to keeping her hopes alive.
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Djokovic, meanwhile, will be seeking a better start to his return to competition after his early US Open exit. Beijing will mark his first tournament since that defeat and another chance to assess his level as he continues his 2026 campaign.
Before either player takes to the match court, however, Swiatek has already made the most of her time in Beijing. A training session with Djokovic has given her access to advice from one of the greatest returners in tennis history — and perhaps one small technical detail worth carrying into her next match.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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