Aryna Sabalenka, who is currently the number 2-ranked tennis player in the world, is still planning to play in the Miami Open this week. This, despite the fact that her former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov committed suicide on Monday.
Aryna Sabalenka To Still Play After Boyfriend’s Suicide
Multiple sources told The New York Post that Sabalenka, 25, will remain in the draw, though she will not make herself available for media throughout the tournament. She will take on the former world number 2 Paula Badosa of Spain on Friday.
Sabalenka and Koltsov, 42, had been dating for around three years. He jumped off the balcony of a room at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in the early hours of Monday morning.
âAccording 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,â read the official report from the Miami-Dade Police Department, according to The Post.
âThe Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, responded and has taken over the investigation of the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov,” the report continued. “No foul play is suspected.â
Related: Former NHL Player Konstantin Koltsov Dies of Apparent Suicide at 42
Tributes For Koltsov
Koltsov’s death has been confirmed by the Russian club Salavat Yulaev, where he was an assistant coach.
âIt is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,â Salavat Yulaev told Reuters. âHe 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.â
Koltsov played for the Pittsburgh Penguins as a forward in three NHL seasons and appeared in 144 games from 2002-06.
“The Penguins extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins forward, Konstantin Koltsov,” the team said in a statement. “The native of Belarus was the Penguinsâ first-round draft choice in 1999 and was with the team from 2003-206, playing 144 NHL games. He was a teammate of both Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux during the 2005-06 season.”
“He could fly,” his former Penguins teammate Sidney Crosby told NHL.com. “He was a powerful skater, a really strong guy and a great guy to be around. That first year, we didnât have the best team but we had a great group and he was part of that so obviously condolences go to his family and itâs sad news.”
Koltsov also played for Belarus at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, where the team finished fourth. She subsequently competed at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
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Sabalenka’s Tennis Career
Sabalenka is currently at the height of her tennis career, as she has won back-to-back Australian Open titles. She was in Palm Springs, California last week playing in the Indian Wells tennis tournament.
Sabalenka thereupon lost in the fourth round to the American player Emma Navarro, before making her way to Miami.
Please join us in saying a prayer for Sabalenka during this difficult time.
