Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka broke her silence about the death of former hockey player Konstantin Koltsov on her Instagram Story on Wednesday.
Sabalenka was scheduled to play in the Miami Open when Miami-Dade police said the former Pittsburgh Penguins player died of an “apparent suicide.” She reportedly still plans to participate in the tournament, but she has no plans to meet with the press.
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Arina Sabalenka has broken her silence about the death of her ex-girlfriend on March 20, 2024. ) (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“Konstantin’s death was an unthinkable tragedy and my heart is broken even though we are no longer together,” she wrote. “Please respect my privacy and the privacy of his family during this difficult time.”
The world No. 2 tennis player was no longer in a relationship with Koltsov at the time of his death, The Telegraph reported early Wednesday. The two had been dating since 2021, but the reason for their breakup has not been revealed.
Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka receives support as she mourns boyfriend’s death
Alina Sabalenka of Belarus watches practice on the fifth day of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium on March 20, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
“According to investigators, on Monday, March 18, 2024, at approximately 12:39 a.m., Bal Harbor Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort, 9703 Collins Avenue, in reference to a man who had jumped from a balcony.” the Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed to FOX News Digital on Tuesday.
“The Miami-Dade Police Department Homicide Bureau has responded and taken over the investigation of the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov. … Foul play is not suspected.”
Pittsburgh’s Konstantin Koltsov (71) plays against Washington on Tuesday, March 30, 2004. (George Bridges/MCT/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
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Koltsov, 42, played in 144 games for the Penguins from 2002 to 2006. He coached Sarvat Yulaev in the Kontinental Hockey League. The team was based in the city of Ufa, about 1,332 miles east of Moscow.
