MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday addressed the demise of her former associate Konstantin Koltsov with a press release posted to her Instagram story and launched by her agent.
“Konstantin’s demise is an unthinkable tragedy, and whereas we had been now not collectively, my coronary heart is damaged,” Sabalenka wrote. “Please respect my privateness and his household’s privateness throughout this troublesome time.”
Koltsov, a retired skilled hockey participant who represented Belarus on the 2002 and 2010 Olympic Video games and was a former member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, died Monday in Miami in what police dominated an obvious suicide.
Sabalenka and Koltsov started courting in 2021 and had not publicly revealed they’d damaged up. Koltsov, 42, had three youngsters from a earlier relationship.
Sabalenka, the world No. 2 and two-time reigning Australian Open champion, remained within the Miami Open draw following the information of Koltsov’s demise and practiced on the event Tuesday, carrying all black. It was reported she wouldn’t be withdrawing from the occasion however wouldn’t be talking to the media throughout the event. She is slated to open play in opposition to shut buddy Paula Badosa on Friday within the second spherical after receiving a first-round bye.
“She’s considered one of my finest pals,” Badosa mentioned Tuesday of Sabalenka. “In fact, I do know what she’s going via. Truthfully, for me it hasn’t been simple, too. I actually do not know what to say, truthfully. She’s a powerful lady. I believe she’s going to get the ability from someplace.”