Aryna Sabalenka will still play in the Miami Open after her boyfriend, former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov, died on Monday in an apparent suicide.
According to multiple accounts, The Tennis Channel noted on Tuesday’s broadcast of the tournament that Sabalenka will remain in the draw.
However, the 25-year-old will not make herself available for media throughout the tournament.
The couple had been dating for approximately three years.
Former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov died. He had been dating Aryna Sabalenka. Aryna Sabalenka/InstagramAccording to the Miami-Dade police report, Koltsov jumped off a balcony at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort.
Tennis coach and instructor Roman Borvanov posted video on Monday of Sabalenka practicing at the facilities.
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Sabalenka has emerged as one of the best players in women’s tennis, winning back-to-back Australian Opens. She has claimed 14 titles overall in her career.
“I just wanted to show that I’m able to be consistently there and I’m able to win another one,” Sabalenka, who lost to Coco Gauff in the 2023 US Open finals, said after capturing her second Australian Open in January.
Aryna Sabalenka withdrew from the Miami Open after the tragedy. Getty Images“So compared to last year, it’s a completely different me. Compared to the U.S. Open, once again, it’s a different me; I’m more controlled and kind of like don’t let the rest of the things come to my mind.”
The Miami Open started on Monday, but as the No. 2 seed Sabalenka received a bye in the first round.
The latest on the death of tennis player Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov:
She will play the winner of the Simona Halep-Paula Badosa match, which is scheduled for Tuesday.
It is Halep’s first match back on the WTA Tour since she was suspended for doping in October 2022.
Aryna Sabalenka and Konstantin Koltsov dated three years. Aryna Sabalenka/Instagram Konstantin Koltsov was 42 years old Aryna Sabalenka/Instagram Aryna Sabalenka playing at Indian Wells on March 9, 2024. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConKoltsov’s death was confirmed by Salavat Yulaev, the Russian hockey club that Koltsov had been an assistant coach for until recently.
“It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,” the team 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.”
