Aryna Sabalenka’s staggering move as new details emerge about boyfriend’s death
The tennis world is rallying around the two-time Australian Open champion.
Aryna Sabalenka is reportedly still planning to play at the Miami Open tennis tournament this week and was spotted on the practice court on Tuesday, just hours after the death of her boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov was confirmed. Police have revealed Koltsov, a retired ice hockey player, died by apparent suicide, saying there was no foul play involved.
Koltsov, 42, was in Miami this week with Sabalenka to watch his girlfriend play at the WTA 1000 event. His death was confirmed by Miami police on Tuesday, with police spokesperson Argemis Colome saying officers “were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort … The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, responded and has taken over the investigation of the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov. No foul play is suspected.”
The Tennis Channel has reported that Sabalenka will still play the Miami Open. However the World No.2 and two-time Australian Open champion won’t do any media commitments. The 26-year-old was spotted on the practice court on Tuesday and is scheduled to face Paola Badosa in the second round following a first-round bye.
Aryna Sabalenka practicing in Miami.
Should play her first round on Thursday.
Brave… https://t.co/rL6kTfZQa8
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) March 19, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka practicing today pic.twitter.com/uLGpUYcnjK
— ken mckinnon (@kenmckinnon13) March 19, 2024
American star Jessica Pegula said the players were aware of the tragic news and offering support to Sabalenka. “I think all of us all heard about it last night and then obviously there’s more news about it this morning, which was just really horrible,” she told reporters.
“All you can do is really offer support for however she wants to deal with it. You never know how someone is going to take it or how they want to grieve and everyone’s so different. So I think the best you can really do is just offer support. And you know, that’s really comforting. I hope for her to know, that even though we’re all competitors and we’re on kind of the stage where we’re trying to beat each other, at the same time, we’re still somewhat of a family.”
Tennis and ice hockey in mourning over Konstantin Koltsov tragedy
Koltsov played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the National Hockey League in America and had been a regular presence supporting Sabalenka at tournaments. He was in attendance when the 26-year-old won her second Australian Open crown in January.
Sabaleka frequently referenced Koltsov on social media in pictures and messages. Just recently she wished him a happy birthday and wrote: “Happy birthday, my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my strongest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health. I hope we will have everything we planned.”
