Aryna Sabalenka’s next opponent Paula Badosa has admitted it will be “uncomfortable” to play her on Friday – after the Australian Open champion’s boyfriend committed suicide.
Sabalenka’s boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, “committed suicide” Monday night after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami, police confirmed.
The 42-year-old Belarusian, who played hockey for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, was announced dead on Tuesday by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on the social messaging site Telegram.
World No. 2 Sabalenka is still expected to play at the Miami Open and will face Badosa on Friday. She was filmed training on the field on Tuesday, training despite her heartbreak.
Badosa said: “I mean, I don’t want to talk about it. But of course. Like I said before, she’s one of my best friends.
Paula Badosa (left) admitted it would be ‘uncomfortable’ to play against Aryna Sabalenka (right)
Sabalenka’s boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, apparently committed suicide after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami on Monday. Tennis star still expected to play Miami Open
Aryna Sabalenka (center) was seen preparing for the Miami Open on Tuesday – just 24 hours after her boyfriend’s shock death.
“Yesterday I talked to him for a lot of time. Same this morning. So I know what she’s going through. I know the whole situation, what is happening.
“For me, it’s also a bit shocking to experience this because at the end, she’s my best friend and I don’t want her to suffer. It’s a very difficult situation.
“At the same time, playing against her is also uncomfortable. Yeah, but I don’t really want to talk about it because I said I wouldn’t talk about it. She’s my best friend and I have I promise. I’ll stay like this. Sorry.’
Badosa beat Simona Halep 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 – on the latter’s return from a doping ban – to reach the next round of the Sunshine State tournament.
In footage shared by Polish sports commentator Bartosz Ignacik, Sabalenka can be seen working on his serve 24 hours after Koltsov’s death was confirmed.
The Miami-Dade Police Department told Mail Sport that the investigation into Kolstov’s death is being treated as an apparent suicide.
Bal Harbor police and firefighters were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort in reference to a man who jumped from a balcony at 12:39 a.m. ET Monday, according to investigators.
Reports from his native Belarus had initially claimed that Kolstov died from a “detached blood clot.”
Koltsov had been dating the two-time Australian Open champion for three years since 2021
Badosa doesn’t want her ‘best friend’ Sabalenka to ‘suffer’ when they play against each other
Koltsov was supporting Sabalenka in Florida as she prepared for the upcoming Miami Open
Koltsov and Sabalenka recently shared their affection for each other on social media, with the former paying tribute to his girlfriend on International Women’s Day this year.
The death of Sabalenka’s partner comes just five years after the loss of her father Sergey, who died suddenly at the age of 43.
Like Koltsov, his father had also played professional hockey, and the Belarusian athlete often spoke of the motivation his father’s death inspired in his tennis game.
Just three months before his death, Sabalenka released a touching video documenting her relationship with him.
In her clip showing the couple’s relationship, Sabalenka made a Reel showing their most memorable moments in 2023.
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.
Sabalenka and Koltsov were first linked in June 2021 and the two-time Australian Open winner has frequently posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.
“I love you @koltsov2021,” she wrote in a message including a heart and other emojis.
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
‘Happy Birthday my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my greatest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.
“I hope we get everything we planned, I love you.”
Koltsov’s former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa wrote: “He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans. Konstantin is forever part of the history of our club.
“Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup with Salavat Yulaev and did an excellent job as part of the team’s technical staff.
“May his memory shine.”
National team coach Dmitry Baskov called Koltsov’s death an “irreparable loss.”
Koltsov, a former professional hockey player, played for the Pittsburgh Penguins NHL franchise
Koltsov’s tragic death comes just five years after Sabalenka lost his father Sergei
“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.
For help, call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org Or www.thecalmzone.net/get-supportor call Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the United States.