• Aryna Sabalenka expressed gratitude for the support she has received following the death of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov
• Koltsov died by suicide at the age of 42 in Florida, and Sabalenka competed in the Miami Open shortly after
• Members of the hockey and tennis communities paid tribute to Koltsov and offered support to Sabalenka during this difficult time.
Here is what happened:
Aryna Sabalenka expressed her gratitude for the support she received following the tragic death of her ex-boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov. Two weeks after Koltsov’s passing, Sabalenka took to Instagram Stories to thank her fans for their outpouring of love and kind words during this difficult time. She shared how much their support meant to her and how she carries their words with her every day.
Koltsov’s death was announced by the Russian hockey club Salavat Yulaev on March 18, revealing that he had passed away in Florida at the age of 42. The Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed that his death was ruled as suicide, with no foul play suspected. Sabalenka, despite the heartbreaking news, continued to compete in the Miami Open and exited the tournament after losing in round 32.
Members of the hockey community, including the Pittsburgh Penguins, where Koltsov played, paid tribute to the former NHL player. Sabalenka received support not only from her fans but also from fellow tennis stars like Caroline Wozniacki, who expressed their sympathy for her during the difficult time. The couple had publicly debuted their relationship in June 2021 and shared various moments together before Koltsov’s untimely death. The tragic event shed light on mental health issues, prompting resources to be shared for those in need of help. If you or someone you know is struggling, there are resources available such as the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
