Tennis ace Aryna Sabalenka ‘goes public with new relationship’: World No 2 holds hands with F1 entrepreneur Georgious Frangulis – months after ex Konstantin Koltsov ‘jumped’ from hotel balcony in ‘suicide’
Tennis champion Aryna Sabalenka has put the tragic death of her sports star ex-boyfriend behind her after stepping out with her healthy food mogul and new Formula 1 partner.
The 26-year-old Grand Slam winner was all smiles as she held hands with Georgios Frangulis, the founder of superfood brand Oakberry and Haas F1 team sponsor, months after ice hockey star Konstantin Koltsov fell from a balcony in an apparent suicide.
The world number 2 shared a photo of herself with Frangulis and the rest of her team after the Italian Open final defeat to Iga Swiatek.
In her comments immediately after her straight sets loss to the Pole, Sabalenka thanked Frangulis, who had been in her box during her campaign in Rome, for his support before giving him a kiss.
The pair were then spotted holding hands at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday, soaking up the Italian sun and making themselves comfortable in the Oakberry-sponsored Haas paddock.
The 26-year-old’s joy comes just two months after tragedy struck when her ex-boyfriend died in an “apparent suicide” in Miami.
Aryna Sabalenka shared a photo from a dinner date with her team, where she was seen holding hands with entrepreneur and Haas F1 team sponsor Georgios Frangulis
The tennis star was all smiles as she walked with Frangulis at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix this weekend
The couple was virtually inseparable on Sunday during the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
Sabalenka and Frangulis spent time in the Haas paddock and were pictured next to driver Kevin Magnussen
Sabalenka and new partner Frangulis posed with the Haas F1 team – which is sponsored by Frangulis’ company Oakberry
Koltsov fell from the balcony of a five-star hotel in Miami. It was initially believed that the 42-year-old, who shared three children with ex-wife Julija Mikhailova, had joined Sabalenka 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.
She pulled out of press conferences at the tournament after Koltsov’s death, with a social media post saying she was “heartbroken” despite no longer being in a couple.
She said, “I just want 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 and Koltsov are believed to have been dating for three years after first linking up in June 2021.
The former hockey star and assistant coach was not only a frequent guest in her player box on tour, but also a devoted boyfriend on social media, where he often shared messages of love and support.
Despite losing her second final in a month to world number 1 Swiatek on Saturday, Sabalenka looked in good spirits as she looked to build her relationship with the 35-year-old crowd this weekend.
Their dinner date on Saturday took place at Taverna Trilussa, a popular spot for tennis players.
“Last dinner in the best place,” the two-time Grand Slam winner wrote in an Instagram post tagging Frangulis and her team.
In addition to the Haas F1 team, Frangulis’ Oakberry, based in its native Brazil, has partnered with Sabalenka, who has since been featured in social media posts promoting the brand.
Sabalenka’s ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov (pictured together) tragically died aged 42 in an ‘apparent suicide’ in March
The Belarusian former professional hockey player (pictured with Sabalenka) died aged 42 in an ‘apparent suicide’
Koltsov played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and represented Belarus at two Winter Olympics
Sabalenka revealed in March that their relationship had already ended, declaring her ‘heart broken’ after the ‘unthinkable tragedy’
Miami police say the Belarusian former professional hockey player fell to his death at the St Regis Bal Harbor Resort
Her collaboration with the company was announced in January with a series of playful images of the tennis star enjoying one of Oakberry’s products.
Many tennis fans will be happy to see the Belarusian sweetheart after she endured heartbreak following the death of her ex earlier this year.
Sabalenka was first linked to Koltsov in June 2021, with the Australian Open champion regularly posting photos of them together on her Instagram account.
Koltsov is believed to have three sons named Daniel, Alexander and Stefan, and earlier played hockey for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
In March, 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 although she said liquor bottles were found in his hotel room, officers were unable to 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.
The tragedy occurred not long after Sabalenka lost her father under similarly disturbing circumstances.
The 26-year-old personally thanked Frangulis for his support during her speech after losing the Italian Open final on Saturday
Sabalenka and her ex-boyfriend Koltsov, who is also from Belarus, are said to have been in a relationship for three years
Sabalenka has partnered with Oakberry and has appeared in a number of the company’s social media posts
The player’s late father, Sergey, who was also a former professional ice hockey player, died suddenly in 2019 at the age of 43.
Sabalenka hopes to secure her third Grand Slam title at the French Open, which starts this week.