Aryna Sabalenka has affirmed her participation in the Miami Open on Friday despite the unexpected passing of her boyfriend. Konstantin Koltsov, a former ice hockey player, tragically died at the age of 43 in Miami, with authorities labeling it as an “apparent suicide.” Despite this heartbreaking loss, the world No2 has made the decision to compete in Miami, though she will refrain from conducting any press interviews before or after her matches.
The Miami-Dade Police Department released a statement indicating that on Monday, March 18th, at approximately 12:39 am, emergency services responded to an incident at the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort involving Koltsov. The investigation into his death, led by the homicide bureau, has been categorized as an apparent suicide, with no suspicion of foul play.
Sabalenka had been romantically associated with Koltsov since June 2021. The news of his passing was formally announced by the Russian ice hockey team Salavat Yulaev, where Koltsov served as an assistant coach. In their statement, they expressed profound sorrow over his loss, describing him as a resilient and beloved figure within the organization and the wider ice hockey community.
