Aryna Sabalenka expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Konstantin Koltsov, emphasizing her shattered heart and requesting privacy for both herself and the family of the late Belarusian hockey player, with whom she had been romantically involved.

On Monday, Koltsov, 42, died in Miami, just days before Sabalenka, ranked second, was scheduled to compete in the Miami Open. According to Miami-Dade Police, his death appears to be a suicide, with no suspicion of foul play involved.

In a statement released by her publicist on Wednesday, Sabalenka called Konstantin's death "an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken."

She added, "Please respect my privacy and his family's privacy during this difficult time."

Sabalenka, 25, and hailing from Belarus, received a bye in the tournament's opening round. A spokesperson for the tournament stated on Wednesday that Sabalenka is scheduled to compete against her close friend Paula Badosa on Friday.

Koltsov, drafted in the first round of the 1999 NHL draft, participated in 144 games for the Pittsburgh Penguins between 2003 and 2006. He recorded 12 goals and 26 assists. Primarily, he played in the Russian Super League, later known as the KHL, concluding his career with Dynamo Minsk in 2015-2016 before transitioning into coaching.

Hailing from Belarus, Koltsov began his hockey career after being drafted by the Penguins in 1999. He played for the team from 2002 to 2006 before returning to Russia to join Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the Russian Super League.

After retiring in 2016, he embarked on a relationship with Belarusian tennis sensation Sabalenka in 2021, following his divorce from his first wife in 2020. Notably, Koltsov frequently accompanied Sabalenka to her tournaments, providing unwavering support.

He was in Miami for the Miami Open, where Sabalenka is presently competing.

Tags
Tennis, Nhl, Suicide, Tragedy