A fast-spreading and contagious virus has gripped the Sydney Swans – they call it, tennis fever.

Last week, avid supporter and big server Sam Groth dropped in to say hello before having a hit with a few players at Centennial Parklands.

Today, Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova paid a visit to the Swans’ pre-season training to try her hand at the foreign sport.

The World No. 59 is in town for the Sydney International, which kicked off on Sunday.

She played and won her first-round match against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko – 7-6, 6-2 – at Olympic Park.

But little did she know her recovery would involve spending the morning down at Lakeside Oval where she was offered a one-on-one coaching session with midfielder Brandon Jack.

From handballs, kicking, bouncing and goal kicking, Pironkova picked up the game swiftly despite having never heard of Australian Rules before.

“I had some good tips today,” she said. “I think I know the basics now. The ball is actually better (to hold) as it’s bigger and bouncier. I think I’m doing a good job, so far.

When asked what skill she adapted to the best: “Definitely not bouncing, but kicking I’m not too bad.”

The coaching session was all part of a segment to be included in an upcoming episode of the Women's Tennis Association's TV show WTA All Access.

Pironkova won the Sydney International women’s singles title in 2014 and will compete in her 11^th Australian Open when the glam slam begins on January 18.

What's that?? Tsvetana Pironkova picks up a footy for the first time.

Brandon Jack shows Pironkova how to handball for the WTA cameras.

Not the most conventional way to bounce the ball but Pironkova masters it in the end.