Aryna Sabalenka shared a touching hug with friend Paula Badosa on Friday after her match at the Miami Open, following the tragic death of the Belarusian tennis star’s ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov earlier this week.
The 25-year-old Sabalenka hugged Spain’s Badosa at the end of their round of 64 match, which Sabalenka won in straight sets (6-4, 6-3).
The fight comes two days after Sabalenka broke her silence on Koltsov, who died at age 42 in what Miami-Dade police reported as an “apparent suicide.”
“Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy and our hearts are broken even though we are no longer together,” Sabalenka wrote in English and Belarusian on her Instagram Story.
“Please respect my privacy and the privacy of his family during this difficult time.”
Badosa, 26, said Tuesday that she has been in constant contact with Sabalenka since the tragedy.
“I mean, I don’t want to talk about it. But of course. Like I said before, she’s one of my best friends,” she said. According to the Daily Mail.
“Yesterday, I talked to her a lot. Same thing this morning. So I know what she’s going through. I know the whole situation, what’s going on. It’s a bit of a shock for me to go through that too, because at the end of the day, she’s my best friend and I don’t want her to suffer. It’s a very tough situation.
“At the same time, it’s uncomfortable to play against her. Yeah, but I don’t really want to talk about it because I said I wouldn’t talk about it. She’s my best friend and I made that promise. I’m going to keep it that way. I’m sorry.”
Badosa defeated Romania’s Simona Halep (6-1, 4-6, 3-6) to advance to Friday’s match against Halep, who is currently ranked second in the world.
Koltsov’s death was first announced on Tuesday by Salavat Yulaev, the Russian hockey club where he was an assistant coach.
The Miami-Dade Police Department later addressed the development in a statement.
“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.” said the statement.
“The Miami-Dade Police Department Homicide Bureau has responded and taken over the investigation of the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov. No foul play is suspected.”
Koltsov, who played three seasons in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2002 to 2006, was first linked to Sabalenka in 2021.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or visit the following link: SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
