By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Aryna Sabalenka shared her heart break—and state of her relationship— in a social media post today.
In the aftermath of Konstantin Koltsov's death on Monday in Miami, Sabalenka said "my heart is broken" and revealed the couple had split.
More: Aryna Sabalenka's Boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov Has Died at 42
Former NHL player Koltsov died at age 42 by "apparent suicide," the Miami-Dade Police said in a statement.
World No. 2 Sabalenka and Koltsov began dating in June of 2021, but the pair were no longer a couple at the time of his death, she said on social media.
"Konstantin's death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken," Sabalenka posted on Instagram. "Please respect my privacy and his family's privacy during this difficult time."
In a 2022 Instagram post, Sabalenka called Koltsov "the best man in the world," adding "he makes me happy every day."
Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka is scheduled to play her Miami Open opener against her good friend, Paula Badosa.
After defeating former world No. 1 Simona Halep to reach the Miami second round, Badosa said her primary concern is Sabalenka's well-being: She doesn't want her friend to suffer.
"She's one of my best friends," Badosa told the media in Miami. "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."
US Open finalist Sabalenka was practicing on site at the Miami Open on Wednesday in preparation for her match against her close friend Badosa.
Meanwhile, Koltsov's ex-wife and mother of his children, Mikhailova Koltsov, was quoted by Belarusian media saying she does not believe her ex-husband committed suicide nor was suicidal.
Instead, Mikhailova is quoted saying she believes Koltsov was likely intoxicated and fell off the balcony. She points to empty bottles of alcohol in his room and recent email as supporting her view her ex-husband died accidentally.
"Most likely, he was very drunk," Mikhailova told News. Zerkalo. "Unfortunately, hockey players are sometimes guilty of this. Empty alcohol bottles were found in the room where Konstantin stayed. There was a balcony overlooking the ocean.
"Probably Konstantin did not keep track of his actions.
"We still have the old family computer with Konstantin's email. I knew the passwords and managed to open some emails. Konstantin had further booked apartments in a different location. Purchases that have not yet arrived have been paid for. He rented a car for a long time.
"That is, he did not intend to die. Anything, of course, can go to your head, but there was no sign of tragedy."
Photo credits: Miami Open/Hard Rock Stadium