March 19, (THEWILL) – The tennis and hockey communities are mourning the tragic loss of Konstantin Koltsov, the former NHL player and boyfriend of world number two, Aryna Sabalenka. According to the Miami-Dade police department, Koltsov died in an “apparent suicide” on Monday, after reportedly jumping from a balcony at a Miami resort.
The Belarusian athlete, who represented his nation at the 2002 and 2010 Olympics, spent three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL between 2002 and 2006. Following his playing career, Koltsov transitioned into coaching, recently serving as an assistant coach for the Russian club Salavat Yulaev.
Sabalenka, the reigning Australian Open champion, is currently in Miami for the prestigious Miami Open tournament. Despite the tragic news, reports suggest she will not withdraw from the event but will forgo post-match press conferences. The 25-year-old Belarusian is scheduled to play her opening match on Friday.
The 42-year-old and Sabalenka had been in a relationship since 2021, frequently sharing affectionate messages and photographs on social media. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Sabalenka once wrote: “I love you @koltsov2021. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my strongest support.”
The Miami-Dade police department confirmed no foul play is suspected in Koltsov’s death, labelling it an “apparent suicide.” The hockey world mourns the loss of a talented athlete and coach, while the tennis community rallies around Sabalenka during this difficult time.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
