Sabalenka mourns former partner’s death, asks for privacy

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Aryna Sabalenka addressed the death of her former partner Konstantin Koltsov on Wednesday with a statement posted to her Instagram Story and released by her agent.

“Konstantin's death is an unthinkable tragedy, and even though we were no longer together, my heart is broken,” Sabalenka wrote. “Please respect my privacy and that of his family during this difficult time.”

Koltsov, a retired professional hockey player who represented Belarus in the 2002 and 2010 Olympics and was a former member of the Pittsburgh Penguins, died Monday in Miami in what police ruled a suicide.

Sabalenka and Koltsov started dating in 2021 and had not publicly revealed their breakup. Koltsov, 42, had three children from a previous relationship.

Sabalenka, world number 2 and two-time reigning Australian Open champion, remained in the Miami Open draw after news of Koltsov's death and practiced at the tournament on Tuesday, dressed in black. It was reported that she would not withdraw from the event but would not speak to the media during the tournament. She is expected to open play against close friend Paula Badosa on Friday in the second round after receiving a first-round bye.

“She’s one of my best friends,” Badosa said Tuesday of Sabalenka. “Of course I know what she's going through. Honestly, for me it hasn't been easy either. I really don't know what to say, honestly. She's a strong woman. I think she'll get power from somewhere.”