Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa shared a heartwarming hug following 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 Miami hotel.
The Belarusian star shared a prolonged hug with best friend Badosa before they walked along on either side of the net, arms still around each other.
They managed to smile following an emotional contest on Friday, with Sabalenka having just four days to prepare herself after her bereavement.
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 aged 42 on Monday 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 on Wednesday, Sabalenka, 25, claimed their relationship had already come to an end while breaking her silence on the ‘unthinkable tragedy’ of his death.
She and Koltsov, a former professional Belarusian hockey player, had dated for three years.
After five rain delays kept her waiting all day amid torrential downpour in Miami, Sabalenka finally stepped out onto the Grandstand court and won in straight sets.
Badosa was unsurprised by her best friend’s performance. ‘No, I wasn’t surprised at all,’ she said. ‘She’s a very, very strong woman, strong personality, you can see it on the court.
‘I knew she was going to 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 to play my best friend in this situation… honestly both of us are pretty strong mentally, we’re strong women, I proved it, she proved it.’
Sabalenka will not speak to the media following 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 Harbour Resort
In a statement on Wednesday Sabalenka claimed their relationship had already come to an end while breaking her silence on the ‘unthinkable tragedy’
Koltsov’s death has made it a testing week for Sabalenka, who was given a bye to the second round as one of the 32 seeded players.
His ex-wife Julija Mikhailova told the 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 that 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 locate a suicide note. She also says his recent behaviour indicated, in her view, that he was not preparing to take his own life.
Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in reference to a man who fell 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.
Koltsov’s ex-wife Julija Mikhailova believes his death may have stemmed from drinking 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 holiday love – I love you madly’
‘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.
‘May his memory burn bright.’
Koltsov and Sabalenka 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.’
On International Women’s Day, Koltsov shared a gallery of pictures of Sabalenka, devoted 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 his first appearance courtside as Sabalenka faced Coco Gauff at the 2021 Italian Open in Rome
Koltsov was a de facto member of Sabalenka’s coaching team and a frequent supporter on tour
Tennis star Sabalenka continued her preparations for the Miami Open on Wednesday, playing through her grief
The tragedy comes so soon after Sabalenka lost her father under similar upsetting circumstances.
The player’s late father Sergey – who was also a former professional ice hockey player – died suddenly in 2019 at the age of just 43.
Kolstov spent parts of three seasons in Pittsburgh from 2002 and 2006 after being selected by the Penguins with the No. 18 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-support, or call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.
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