In March 2024, Aryna Sabalenka lost a loved one. Her former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, passed away at the age of 42 in Miami.
Koltsov, a former professional ice hockey player from Belarus who played three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins, had been a familiar figure in Sabalenka’s tennis career. Sabalenka was preparing for the Miami Open when he died.
What Happened to Konstantin Koltsov?
Koltsov passed away in Miami on March 18, 2024. At the time, police said his death was an apparent suicide. He was 42 years of age.
The Pittsburgh Penguins had drafted Koltsov in the first round of the 1999 NHL Draft, and he had a successful hockey career, playing 144 NHL games with the Penguins and representing Belarus at two Winter Olympics. He subsequently coached, including for the Russian club Salavat Yulaev Ufa.
Sabalenka was particularly heartbroken by the news as it came just a few years after her father, Sergey, died in 2019, also a former ice hockey player.
Aryna Sabalenka’s Heartbroken Confession
Several days later, Sabalenka spoke publicly about Koltsov’s death, stating that the two had already split up before Koltsov’s death.
“Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken,” Sabalenka wrote on Instagram. She also asked fans and the media to respect both her privacy and Koltsov’s family during the difficult period.
Despite the tragedy, Sabalenka decided to continue playing at the Miami Open. She beat close friend Paula Badosa in her second round before finally losing to Anhelina Kalinina in the third round. Badosa later commended Sabalenka’s mental toughness for being able to play so soon after the tragedy.
Sabalenka later admitted that she had been physically and mentally affected by Koltsov’s death, months after it occurred. She said she should have taken a break from tennis rather than continue playing and acknowledged that she had been carrying a lot of emotional baggage.
It was a painful experience for Sabalenka, but it also helped build the resilience she’s shown since emerging as one of the top players in women’s tennis.
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