- The cause of death of Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend has been revealed
- Belarusian media report that he died of ‘a dislodged blood clot’
- Konstantin Kolstov had been in a relationship with Sabalenka for three years
The cause of death of Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend has been revealed, with reports in his native Belarus claiming the 42-year-old died of ‘a dislodged blood clot’.
Former ice hockey player Konstantin Kolstov was declared dead by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on social messaging site Telegram on Tuesday, after the coach had a three-year relationship with Australian Open champion Sabalenka, 25.
Sabalenka is in Miami preparing for the upcoming Miami Open, where she is seeded second, and Koltsov is said to have joined her in Florida before his shock wore off.
“It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Salavat Yulaev’s coach, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,” the Russian club’s statement read.
‘He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans. Konstantin wrote himself into the history of our club forever.
The cause of death of Aryna Sabalenka’s friend has been revealed by Belarusian media
Konstantin Kolstov reportedly died of ‘a dislodged blood clot’, according to Belarusian media
Koltsov played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and represented Belarus at two Winter Olympics
‘Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev and did a great job in the team’s technical staff.
“May his memory burn brightly.”
According to Belarusian media TelegraphKolstov died of “a dislodged blood clot.”
The same medium reports that the day before his death he planned not to renew his contract with the Russian hockey team, where he coached for the past two seasons.
The death of the world number two’s partner comes just five years after the player lost her father Sergey following his sudden death at the age of 43.
Like Koltsov, Sabalenka’s father had also played professional ice hockey, and the Belarusian athlete has often spoken about the motivation her father’s passing inspired in her tennis playing.
After winning her second Australian Open title in January, Sabalenka achieved a feat she previously discussed in an episode of Netflix’s tennis docu-series Break Point.
Konstantin Koltsov, the friend of world number two Aryna Sabalenka, has died in Florida
“We had one dream: that I would win a few Grand Slams before I was 25,” said the then 24-year-old.
“Now I’m 24 and there’s zero in my pocket.”
Sabalenka and Koltsov are believed to have been dating for three years after they were first linked in June 2021 and the world number two has regularly posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.
“I love you @koltsov2021,” she wrote in a message with hearts and other emojis.
“Happy birthday my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my strongest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.
‘I hope we get everything we planned. I love you.’
Most recently, Koltsov supported Sabalenka in Melbourne and watched her lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for the second year in a row.
Koltsov is said to have three sons from a previous relationship named Daniel, Alexander and Stefan.