Aryna Sabalenka's boyfirend, Konstantin Koltsov, passed away in Miami according to report from his club.
Koltsov was a former Belarusian ice hockey player who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL and Salavat Yulaev Ufa in the Russian KHL. Koltsov and Sabalenka started dating in 2021, and they were often seen together around the Tour.
Both were in Miami at the time of the passing, as the Belarusian tennis player was preparing for the 2024 Miami Open, a WTA 1000 tournament held in the city as part of the popular Sunshine Double.
According to the report by Reuters, Koltsov's former club, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, released a statement, in which they confirmed the passing of the former Belarusian ice hockey player.
"It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away. He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans. Konstantin Evgenievich forever wrote himself into the history of our club. May he rest in peace."
Koltsov died at the age of 42, only one year younger than Sabalenka's father, Sergey Sabalenka, who was also a former professional ice hockey player and passed away in 2019. According to the Daily Mail, the cause of Koltsov's death was "a detached blood clot."
Sabalenka is set to compete at the 2024 Miami Open from March 20th to 31st, 2024, but it's expected that world no. 2 will likely withdraw from the tournament.
The 25-year-old has the full support of the tennis community in these difficult times, as fellow WTA player Sloane Stephens seemingly already reacted to the news on her official X (formerly Twitter) profile.
"That moment when you can actually feel the pain in your chest from hearing something or seeing something that breaks your heart."
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