Sabalenka is still grieving the loss of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov.
Aryna Sabalenka has issued a brief update two weeks after the death of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov as the two-time Grand Slam champion took a moment to acknowledge that all the support and love she has been receiving during this tough period isn’t going unnoticed.
Just a day before the start of the Miami Open, shocking news came out of Miami after it was announced that Koltsov – a 42-year-old former Belarusian hockey star – died while in Miami. Since Koltsov often traveled with Sabalenka, initially it was believed that he died due to a blood clot while accompanying the Belarusian tennis star in Miami.
But then, the story took a major twist when the Miami-Dade Police Department revealed that the Koltsov death was treated as an apparent suicide. Shortly after, Sabalenka also broke her silence and expressed her deep grief and sorrow over the Koltsov death but also revealed that they broke up before the tragedy.
Although Sabalenka made the decision to compete in Miami, she didn’t make any comments on the matter before or after her matches at the tournament. Since losing in the Miami third round, Sabalenka has been grieving the loss of Koltsov and didn’t post anything on social media until this week.
In her message, Sabalenka said she is going through “a difficult time” and added that messages of support definitely mean and help a lot during this dark period.
“I want to take a moment to say thank you to all my fans for your outpouring love and support during this difficult time. Your kind words mean so much and I carry them with me every day. I am so grateful for you all,” Sabalenka said in a message posted on her Instagram Story.
What Sabalenka said after the Miami-Dade PD revelation?
After Belarusian media reported that the cause of Koltsov’s death was a blood clot, many international sites picked up the story. But after the Miami-Dade PD made an official announcement regarding the Koltsov death, many were left shocked and in disbelief over how the former Belarusian hockey player died.
“According to investigators on Monday, March 18, 2024, at approximately 12:39 a.m., Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, 9703 Collins Avenue, in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony,” the Miami-Dade Police Department said in a statement that was released the following day.
“The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, responded and has taken over the investigation of the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov … No foul play is suspected.”
Shortly after, Sabalenka issued her first reaction regarding the Koltsov death and that’s when more details came to surface.
“Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken. Please respect my privacy and his family’s privacy during this difficult time,” Sabalenka said in a statement posted on her Instagram Story shortly after the Miami-Dade PD announcement.
Sabalenka made a surprise decision and decided to play in Miami
After the news of the Koltsov death became confirmed, many thought it was just a matter of time before Sabalenka announced that she was withdrawing from the Miami Open due to personal reasons.
But that didn’t happen, as shortly after the world No. 2 issued her first statement on the Koltsov death, the tournament officials also revealed that the two-time Grand Slam champion was planning on playing at the tournament but that it was agreed that she would not conduct any interviews or pressers before or after matches.
Since Sabalenka was the second-seeded player, she was scheduled to start her tournament on the third day of the event but she ended up kicking off her Miami run on Friday after the tournament gave her an extra day. In the Miami second round, the 25-year-old Belarusian was slated to play against her best friend, Paula Badosa.
Before the match, Badosa indicated to the media that she knew all the details but refused to reveal anything publicly.
“I don’t really know what to say. I mean, she’s one of my best friends. Of course, I know what she’s going through. Honestly, for me hasn’t been easy, too,” Badosa said before the match.
“I really don’t know what to say, honestly. She’s a strong woman. I think she will get the power from somewhere. I hope it’s going to be a battle, a good match, and let’s see.”
In her first match since the tragedy, Sabalenka defeated Badosa in two sets before being upset by Anhelina Kalinina in the third round.
The next tournament on Sabalenka’s schedule is a clay WTA 500 tournament in Stuttgart, which starts on April 15th. In Stuttgart, Sabalenka finished as runner-up in each of the last three years.