The boyfriend of tennis world No 2 Aryna Sabalenka has died suddenly in Florida in what has been described as “an apparent suicide”.
Despite her bereavement, Sabalenka is still expected to play in the Miami Open, which would involve a first match towards the end of this week, although she will not perform her usual post-match press conferences.
Video clips from the site suggest that Sabalenka went ahead with her practice session on Monday despite the tragic death of Konstantin Koltsov only a matter of hours earlier. She was pictured on court again on Tuesday after news of his death had been reported.
In a statement, the Miami-Dade Police Department said they had been called to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort – a luxury hotel near Miami Beach – at 12.39am on Monday morning “in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony”.
The statement added that “No foul play is suspected.”
This is the second time that Sabalenka has lost one of those closest to her at an appallingly young age. In 2019, her father Sergey – another former ice-hockey player – passed away at 43 after contracting meningitis.
Forward Koltsov played for the Belarus national team in the 2002 and 2010 Olympics, and spent parts of three seasons with the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins between 2002 and 2006.
Renowned for his speed on the ice, Koltsov won the Russian Super League title with Salavat Yulaev in 2008 and more recently returned to the club as an assistant coach.
It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that Konstantin Koltsov has passed away,” Salavat Yulaev, which is based in the Russian city of Ufa, said in a statement.
“He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans. Konstantin Evgenievich forever wrote himself into the history of our club.
“May he rest in peace.”
Sabalenka and Koltsov were first linked in June 2021, according to People magazine, and she has frequently posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.
“I love you @koltsov2021,” she wrote in one post that included heart and other emojis.
“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 I love you.”
Koltsov – who is reported to have had three children from a previous relationship – also applauded Sabalenka after the Belarusian won her second consecutive Australian Open title in January.
Peoplesmind