- Koltsov died last month in an “apparent suicide” after falling from a balcony
- Sabalenka played at the Miami Open despite the death of her ex-boyfriend
- The Australian Open champion expressed his gratitude to the fans for their support
Aryna Sabalenka has thanked fans for an ‘outpouring of love and support’ following the tragic death of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov last month.
Koltsov’s death has been ruled an ‘apparent suicide’ after he fell from the balcony of a five-star hotel in Miami.
The 42 year oldwho shared three children with ex-wife Julija Mikhailova, was said to have initially joined his girlfriend in the city as she prepared for the Miami Open.
Sabalenka later revealed that their relationship had already ended as he commented on the “unthinkable tragedy” of his death.
The Australian Open champion defeated her best friend Paula Badosa in straight sets at the Miami Open amid the tragedy, but lost to Ukraine’s Anhelina Kalinina in the next round.
Aryna Sabalenka sent a message to fans after the death of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov
Sabalenka thanked fans for an “outpouring of love” that is helping her through a “difficult time.”
Koltsov (pictured) died last month at the age of 42 after falling from a hotel balcony in Miami
The world number 2 has pulled out of press conferences at the tournament following Koltsov’s death, with a message on social media saying she was “heartbroken” despite no longer being in a couple.
Sabalenka broke her silence two weeks later as the Belarusian star thanked her fans for their support, which she said helped her through a “difficult time.”
“I would like to take a moment to thank all my fans for your outpouring of love and support during this difficult time,” Sabalenka wrote.
“Your kind words mean so much and I carry them with me every day.
“I’m so grateful to all of you.”
Sabalenka is currently expected to return to the Stuttgart Open on April 15, with the star among the entries for the indoor event to kick off her clay-court season.
She will then compete in the WTA 1000 events in Madrid and Rome ahead of the French Open at the end of May.
Koltsov and Sabalenka were first linked in June 2021 and the two-time Australian Open winner had regularly posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.
Sabalenka played at the Miami Open despite the tragedy, but lost her match in the third round
The world number 2 is expected to return to action at the Stuttgart Open later this month
Koltsov played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and represented Belarus at two Winter Olympics
Miami police say the Belarusian former professional hockey player fell to his death at the St Regis Bal Harbor Resort
Koltsov is said to have three sons from his previous relationship with his ex-wife Julija, named Daniel, Alexander and Stefan.
Mikhailova told media in Belarus that he was “most likely drunk” when he fell from the hotel balcony.
Miami-Dade police have taken over the investigation into the suspected suicide, but in an interview with media in her native Belarus, Mikhailova gave her thoughts on what could have happened.
She has claimed her ex-husband was “most likely drunk” before the fatal fall, and while she says liquor bottles were found in his hotel room, officers could not find a suicide note. She also says that she believes his recent behavior indicated he was not preparing for suicide.
According to investigators, Bal Harbor police and firefighters were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort in reference to a man who fell from a balcony at 12:39 p.m.
Sabalenka revealed last month that their relationship had already ended, declaring her ‘heart broken’ after the ‘unthinkable tragedy’
The Belarusian former professional hockey player died at the age of 42 in an ‘apparent suicide’
The two-time Australian Open winner regularly posted photos of them together online
The tragedy occurred not long after Sabalenka lost her father under similarly disturbing circumstances.
The player’s late father, Sergey, who was also a former professional ice hockey player, died suddenly in 2019 at the age of 43.
Kolstov spent parts of three seasons in Pittsburgh from 2002 and 2006 after being selected by the Penguins with the No. 18 overall pick in the 1999 NHL Draft.
For support, call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org or www.thecalmzone.net/get-supportor call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.