Aryna Sabalenka, who is currently ranked number two in the world in tennis, has broken her silence to address the alleged suicide of the former professional hockey player Konstantin Koltsov, whom she dated for three years.
Sabalenka Addresses Koltsov’s Suicide
Koltsov, 42, died after falling from the balcony of a room at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami, Florida in the early hours of Monday morning. Sabalenka, 25, is currently in Miami to play in the Miami Open, which she plans to still participate in.
Fox News reported that Koltsov and Sabalenka had been dating since 2021. Though it was believed that they were still together at the time of Koltsov’s death, Sabalenka is now claiming that they had broken up.
“Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken,” she wrote in a statement shared to social media. “Please respect my privacy and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Koltsov’s Suicide
It is unclear why Koltsov and Sabalenka split. The world was stunned when Koltsov’s death was announced earlier this week.
“According to investigators on Monday, March 18, 2024, at approximately 12:39 a.m., Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, 9703 Collins Avenue, in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony,” the Miami-Dade Police Department said on Tuesday.
“The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, responded and has taken over the investigation of the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov,” the statement added. “No foul play is suspected.”
Related: Tennis Star Aryna Sabalenka To Still Play Miami Open After Hockey Player Boyfriend Commits Suicide
Sabelenka To Still Play Miami Open
Sabalenka is still set to play in the Miami Open on Friday, and she will be taking on the former world number 2 Paula Badosa, who is a close personal friend of hers.
“I mean, I don’t want to talk about it. But of course. As I said before, she’s one of my best friends,” Badosa said when asked about the match, according to Daily Mail. “Yesterday I spoke with her a lot of time. This morning the same. So I know what she’s going through. I know the entire situation, what is happening.”
“That for me is a little bit shocking also to go through that because at the end she’s my best friend and I don’t want her to suffer. It’s a very tough situation,” she continued. “At the same point playing against her, it’s also uncomfortable. Yeah, but I don’t really want to talk about it because I said I’m not going to talk about it. She’s my best friend and I promised that. I’m going to stay like this. Sorry.”
Related: Former NHL Player Konstantin Koltsov Dies of Apparent Suicide at 42
Koltsov’s History
A first-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins back in 1999, Koltsov played parts of three seasons with the team. He recorded 12 goals and 26 assists in 144 games. Kolstov was also part of the Belarussian national team that competed in the both the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics.
“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,” his Russian hockey club said in a statement. “May he rest in peace.”
Whether Sabalenka and Koltsov were still together at the time of his death or not, this is clearly a very traumatic situation for her. Please join us in saying a prayer for Sabalenka during this difficult time.