Grieving tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has released a touching video documenting her relationship with NHL star Konstantin Koltsov just three months before he took his own life.
Koltsov, a coach in the Russian hockey league, died Monday of an apparent suicide after jumping from a balcony, Miami police confirmed. He was 42 years old. Despite his coaching commitments, he was almost constantly present at the biggest moments of his girlfriend’s career.
His girlfriend, Sabalenka, 25, confirmed that she will continue to participate in the Miami Open which started on Tuesday. The two men are both from Belarus.
As one of the 32 seeds in the women’s bracket, Sabalenka received a first-round bye. She is expected to make her first appearance in the 2024 edition of the tournament in the second round on Thursday, when she faces Paula Badosa.
In her clip showing the couple’s relationship, Sabalenka made a Reel showing their most memorable moments in 2023.
In her clip showing the couple’s relationship, Sabalenka made a Reel showing their most memorable moments in 2023.
Sabalenko showed the couple constantly laughing throughout 2023 and looking forward to 2024
The couple made it rain angels during a downpour on the court
Koltsov played most of his career in the Russian Superleague, which morphed into the KHL, finishing with Dynamo Minsk in 2015-16 and becoming a coach.
The two had been dating since 2021 when they announced their relationship on Instagram. Accompanying a photo of them kissing, Sabalenka wrote: “It’s good when there is someone who is able to understand my madness. But you won’t miss me, will you @Koltsov2021?’
Koltsov and Sabalenka kiss at a hockey game, hold hands with a toddler, work out together in a gym, and dance on a boat. ‘Thank you 2023! See you in 2024,” the Australian Open champion wrote in the accompanying caption.
The video is set to the song They Don’t Really Care About Us by Michael Jackson. It is not clear who the small child is in the video. Koltsov had three children from his previous marriage.
The two had been dating since 2021 when they announced their relationship on Instagram. Accompanying a photo of them kissing, Sabalenka wrote: “It’s good when there is someone who is able to understand my madness. But you won’t miss me, will you @Koltsov2021?.’
Koltsov played 144 NHL games with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2003 to 2006 after being selected in the first round of the 1999 draft, recording 12 goals and 26 assists. The Penguins expressed their condolences to Koltsov’s family and friends in a statement.
Koltsov played most of his career in the Russian Superleague, which morphed into the KHL, finishing with Dynamo Minsk in 2015-16 and becoming a coach.
Koltsov served as an assistant coach for Salavat Yulaev Ufa for the past two seasons. He was also a staff assistant for the Belarusian men’s national team.
National team coach Dmitry Baskov called Koltsov’s death an “irreparable loss.”
“Konstantin was one of the undisputed leaders of our team, a talented and progressive coach, a brilliant player,” Baskov said in a statement.
“He was an example of hardiness, hard work, dedication and an idol for many Belarusian boys and his colleagues. It’s hard and unfair that such people leave so soon.
Salavat Yulaev Ufa expressed his grief over the death of Koltsov, who won the Gagarin Cup with the club as a player in 2010-11.
“He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans,” the team said in a statement. “(Koltsov) has forever written himself into the history of our club.”
Sabalenka won the Australian Open in January for her second consecutive title at Melbourne Park. She was featured in the Netflix documentary series Break Point, speaking emotionally about the death of her father when he was in his 40s.
Her father, Sergey, was also a former professional hockey star and died at the age of 43 in 2019. Sabalenka has spoken openly about how her father’s passing inspired her to take up tennis.
In Break Point, she said: “We had a dream: before the age of 25, I will win a few Grand Slam tournaments,” the 24-year-old said. “Now I’m 24 and there’s nothing in my pocket.”