Tennis Star Aryna Sabalenka Breaks Silence After Ex-Boyfriend's Death
She was blindsided by his passing.
Tributes continue to pour in for Belarusian hockey star Konstantin Koltsov after the former NHL player's sudden death on March 18. Since 2021, Koltsov had been romantically linked to fellow Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, who is an accomplished tennis champion herself and former world No. 1 player.
Local authorities believe Koltsov's cause of death was suicide and not linked to foul play. On March 21, Sabalenka took to her Instagram stories to address the situation in as few words as possible.
"Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together [at the time of his death], my heart is broken," she wrote, per Us Weekly. "Please respect my privacy and his family’s privacy during this difficult time."
Koltsov first started playing professional ice hockey in Russia before joining the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2002, playing three seasons with the team through 2006. He represented Belarus at the Winter Olympics twice and played for the Russian hockey team Salavat Yulaev after leaving the NHL, eventually going on to coach the team.
Sabalenka, meanwhile, is currently competing at the Miami Open in the midst of her grief. She's set to play her friend Paula Badosa of Spain in the next round. Badosa has seemingly been by her side throughout this process.
"She’s one of my best friends," Badosa told reporters on March 19, according to CNN. "Yesterday, I spoke with her [for] a lot of time. This morning the same. So I know what she’s going through. I know the entire situation, what is happening."
She noted that she's in a strange place considering the pair will soon be facing off as opponents rather than friends. "[It's] 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 said. "At the same point, playing against her, it’s also uncomfortable."
Caroline Wozniacki, another former world top-rated player, echoed a similar sentiment.
"I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now," Wozniacki said of Sabalenka's pain. "I’m also tearing up. It’s such a terrible situation. It’s so hard. I reached out to her and I told her that I was here if she needed anything."
"I love Aryna. I think she’s such a great person. She’s always so happy and out there. To see her go through that, it’s heartbreaking," she continued. "Everyone grieves in a different way... I let her know that if she ever needs anything, I’m here, we’re here for her."
If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).