Tennis News Today: Novak Djokovic shares inside details of having Andy Murray as new coach; Iga Swiatek leaves Nick Kyrgios' team amid latter's digs on doping case

Novak Djokovic shared the details about his appointment of Andy Murray as his coach. Meanwhile, tennis stars including Coco Gauff congratulated Felix Auger-Aliassime on his engagement. Also, Simona Halep posted a strongly worded statement after Iga Swiatek's doping controversy.

In other news, Nick Kyrgios and Iga Swiatek are set to switch teams as the duo avoid being paired together for the World Tennis League. Meanwhile, Belinda Bencic opened up about motherhood and her return to professional tennis.

On that note, here are today's top tennis news:

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Novak Djokovic opens up about Andy Murray's appointment

Novak Djokovic has given details about appointing Andy Murray as his new coach. The Serbian star will team up with his former rival for the Australian Open 2025.

Djokovic said that Murray was caught off-guard after being offered a coaching job. The 24-time Grand Slam champion further added he was excited about the prospect of working with his former rival.

“Possibly a multiple Grand Slam winner and former [World] No.1. I was thinking about different people and then Andy Murray discussion appeared on the table with me and my team. I was like, ‘Okay! I’m gonna give him a call and see how it goes.’ It caught him [Andy Murray] a little bit off guard as well because he wasn’t expecting it,” Djokovic said.

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Coco Gauff and other tennis stars congratulate Felix Auger-Aliassime on his engagement

Felix Auger-Aliassime announced his engagement to his girlfriend Nina Ghaibi on social media and quite a few of his colleagues sent their congratulations to him.

Coco Gauff was among many stars who congratulated the couple and gave them their best wishes. Denis Shapovalov was another star who congratulated the couple.

“congratulations 🎊 !!!" Coco Gauff wrote.

Coco Gauff comment on Felix Auger-Aliassime's post

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Simona Halep issues a statement after Iga Swiatek's doping controversy

Simona Halep issued a strong-worded statement after Iga Swiatek was handed a one-month ban for doping. The Romanian claimed that she was treated differently from other players after she was given a lengthy suspension for a similar mistake.

Halep was initially banned for four years after she tested positive for Roxadustat but she won her appeal and was allowed to make a return to tennis after two years. After Swiatek was banned for just one month for testing positive for trimetazidine, Halep issued a strong worded statement on her social media account. The Romanian claimed that the ITIA have 'destroyed' her career.

"I'm sitting and trying to understand, but it's really impossible for me to understand something like this. I stand and ask myself, why is there such a big difference in treatment and judgment? I can’t find and I don’t think there can be a logical answer. It can only be bad will from ITIA, the organization that has done absolutely everything to destroy me despite the evidence," Simona Halep wrote.

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Nick Kyrgios and Iga Swiatek to play in different teams at the 2024 World League Tennis

Nick Kyrgios spoke up after Iga Swiatek was banned for a month after testing positive for doping. The Australian star took to social media and claimed that Swiatek made an 'excuse' after being found doping.

This social media row is set to affect both players' World League Tennis futures as Kyrgios and Swiatek are set to play in different teams. The duo were set to feature in the same team, The Eagles, but Kyrgios will now play for Team Kites according to reports.

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Belinda Bencic opens up about motherhood and a potential return to tennis

Belinda Bencic has opened up about motherhood. The Swiss star and her boyfriend Martin Hromkovic welcomed their baby daughter into the world in April 2024.

Bencic admitted that she was not thinking about returning to tennis as she enjoyed her motherhood. However, the Swiss star is excited about being back on-court in 2025, starting with the Australian Open.

"All I thought about was the birth of my daughter and how I would feel after everything. People kept asking me about my return, but I was never able to give them much information," Bencic added.