Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa shared a heartwarming hug after their Miami Open clash – just days after the former’s ex-boyfriend died following a balcony fall.
The world No.2 won 6-4, 6-3 to reach round three in the Sunshine State despite her week of grief.
Sabalenka’s boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov died on Monday aged 42 in an ‘apparent suicide’ after jumping from the balcony of a five-star hotel in Miami.
The Belarusian star shared a lingering hug with best friend Badosa before they walked either side of the net with their arms still around each other.
They managed to smile after an emotional contest on Friday, with Sabalenka having just four days to prepare after her grief.
Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa shared a heartwarming hug after their Miami Open match
The world No. 2 received a warm reception as she beat Badosa 6-4, 6-3 to reach the third round
Konstantin Koltsov, Sabalenka’s ex-boyfriend of three years, died on Monday aged 42 after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami
It was initially believed that Koltsov, who shared three children with ex-wife Julija Mikhailova, had joined his girlfriend in the city as she prepared for the tournament this month.
Yet Sabalenka, 25, claimed on Wednesday that their relationship had already ended as she broke her silence on the ‘unimaginable tragedy’ of his death.
She and Koltsov, a former professional Belarusian hockey player, had been dating for three years.
After five rain delays kept her waiting all day amid a torrential downpour in Miami, Sabalenka finally stepped out onto the Grandstand Court and won in straight sets.
Badosa was not surprised by his best friend’s performance. “No, I wasn’t surprised at all,” she said. ‘She is a very, very strong woman, a strong personality, you can see it on the pitch.
‘I knew she would play very well and I told her I wish her the best and let’s see if she can go very deep in this tournament.’
Badosa added: “It wasn’t very comfortable playing my best friend in this situation… honestly we’re both pretty strong mentally, we’re strong women, I proved it, she proved it.”
Sabalenka will not speak to the media after her rounds.
It is unclear when Koltsov and Sabalenka, who were first linked in 2021, ended their relationship
Miami Police say the Belarusian former professional hockey player fell to his death at the St Regis Bal Harbor Resort
In a statement on Wednesday, Sabalenka claimed their relationship had already ended, while breaking her silence on the ‘unimaginable tragedy’
Koltsov’s death has made it a testing week for Sabalenka, who received a bye to the second round as one of the 32 seeded players.
His ex-wife Julija Mikhailova told media in Belarus that he was ‘very likely drunk’ when he fell from the hotel balcony.
The Miami-Dade Police Department has taken over the investigation into the suspected suicide, but in an interview with media in her native Belarus, Mikhailova gave her view on what might have happened.
She has claimed her ex-husband was ‘very likely drunk’ before the fatal fall, and while she says booze bottles were found in his hotel room, officers were unable to find a suicide note. She also says that, in her opinion, his recent behavior indicated that he was not preparing to take his own life.
Bal Harbor Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort in reference to a man who fell from a balcony at 12:39 a.m. ET Monday, according to investigators.
Reports from his native Belarus had initially claimed that Kolstov had died of a ‘dislodged blood clot’.
Koltsov, who played hockey for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, was confirmed dead on Tuesday by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on social messaging site Telegram.
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,” the Russian club’s statement read.
Koltsov’s ex-wife Julija Mikhailova believes that his death may be due to alcohol
Koltsov played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and represented Belarus at two Winter Olympics
Two weeks ago, Koltsov paid tribute to the two-time Australian Open champion on International Women’s Day, writing: “Happy holidays dear – I love you madly”
‘He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans. Konstantin wrote himself into the history of our club forever.
‘Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev and did a good job in the team’s coaching staff.
“May his memory burn bright.”
Koltsov and Sabalenka were first linked in June 2021 and the two-time Australian Open winner has often posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.
‘I love you @koltsov2021,’ she wrote in a post that included hearts and other emojis.
‘Happy birthday my love. You are my lover, my best friend and my strongest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.
‘I hope we get everything we have planned, I love you.’
On International Women’s Day, Koltsov shared a gallery of pictures of Sabalenka, dedicated to the tennis star, with the caption: “Happy holiday my love, I love you madly”.
Koltsov is believed to have three sons from his previous relationship with his ex-wife Yulia, named Daniel, Alexander and Stefan.
The former Pittsburg Penguins player made her first court appearance when Sabalenka faced Coco Gauff at the 2021 Italian Open in Rome
Koltsov was a de facto member of Sabalenka’s coaching staff and a frequent supporter on tour
Tennis star Sabalenka continued her preparations for the Miami Open on Wednesday and played through her grief
The tragedy comes so soon after Sabalenka lost her father in similarly harrowing circumstances.
The player’s late father Sergey – who was also a former professional ice hockey player – died suddenly in 2019 aged just 43.
Kolstov spent parts of three seasons in Pittsburgh from 2002 and 2006 after being selected by the Penguins with the 18th overall pick in the 1999 NHL Draft.
For support call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org or www.thecalmzone.net/get-supportor call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 in the US.