World No 2 Aryna Sabalenka was seen preparing for the Miami Open on Tuesday – just 24 hours after the shock death of her boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov.
Police have confirmed that Koltsov, who had been dating Australian Open champion Sabalenka, 25, for three years, died at the age of 42 on Monday in an apparent suicide after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami.
The Belarusian former professional hockey player is believed to have joined his girlfriend in the city as she prepared for the Miami Open, where she begins her campaign this Friday.
Despite his apparent suicide, the Tennis Channel is reporting that Sabalenka still intends to play the tournament in the Sunshine State this month.
As a result, on Tuesday she returned to the court to practice ahead of her Round of 64 tie on Friday, when she is due to meet the winner of Simona Halep and Paula Badosa’s opening round match.
Aryna Sabalenka (center) was seen preparing for the Miami Open on Tuesday – just 24 hours after the shock death of her boyfriend
Sabalenka’s boyfriend Konstantin Kolstov died at the age of 42 early Monday morning
Police have confirmed that Koltsov, who had been dating the Australian Open champion for three years, died in an apparent suicide after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami
It is believed Sabalenka is still planning to play in the Miami Open this month despite her loss
In footage shared by Polish sports commentator Bartosz Ignacik, Sabalenka can be seen working on her serve a mere 24 hours after Koltsov’s passing was confirmed.
Miami-Dade police department told DailyMail.com that the investigation into Kolstov’s death is being treated as an apparent suicide.
Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony at 12.39am ET Monday, according to investigators.
Reports from his native Belarus had initially claimed that Kolstov had died of a ‘detached blood clot’.
Koltsov, who played hockey for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, was confirmed dead by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on social messaging site Telegram on Tuesday.
‘It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,’ the Russian club’s statement read.
‘He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans. Konstantin forever wrote himself into the history of our club.
‘Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev, and did a great job on the team’s coaching staff.
Both Koltsov and Sabalenka recently shared their affection for one another on social media, with the former paying tribute to his girlfriend on International Women’s Day this year
Koltsov, a former professional hockey player, was selected by the Penguins with the No. 18 overall pick in the 1999 NHL Draft
Koltsov’s tragic death comes just five years after Sabalenka lost her father Sergey
‘May his memory burn bright.’
The death of Sabalenka’s partner comes just five years after she lost her father Sergey following his sudden death at 43.
Like Koltsov, her father had also played professional hockey, and the Belarusian athlete has often spoken of the motivation her father’s passing her inspired in her tennis game.
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 one post that included heart and other emojis.
‘Happy birthday my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my strongest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.
‘I hope we will have everything we planned I love you.’
For support call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org or www.thecalmzone.net/get-support, or call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.
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