Aryna Sabalenka has now spoken out for the first time since the death of her long-term partner Konstantin Koltsov, who, according to police reports, committed suicide on Monday – with astonishing news.
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Because the 25-year-old revealed in her short statement on her Instagram story that she and the ex-NHL star were already separated.
“Konstantin’s death is an incredible tragedy, and even though we were no longer together, my heart is broken,” the tennis player from Belarus wrote there and asked: “Please respect my privacy and that of his family during this difficult time.”
Aryna Sabalenka made it public that she was no longer dating Konstantin Koltsov
Sabalenka’s ex-boyfriend commits suicide
On Tuesday it was announced that former ice hockey star Koltsov had taken his own life in Miami.
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Miami police said that after an incident at the St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort, the homicide unit has begun “the investigation into the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov”: “There is no suspicion of foul play.”
Editor’s note: If you feel affected by depression and suicidal thoughts, please contact the telephone counseling service immediately (http://www.telefonseelsorge.de). On the free hotline 0800-1110111 or 0800-1110222 you can get help from advisors who have already been able to show ways out of difficult situations in numerous cases.
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Up until the time of Sabalenka’s statement on Wednesday evening, all reports had assumed that she and the former NHL star were still in a relationship.
Sabalenka’s Miami Open match postponed
Despite the stroke of fate, Sabalenka’s participation in the Miami Open is still planned, but her first match has apparently been postponed by a day and is not scheduled to take place until March 22nd. She has canceled her media appointments for the entire Miami Open tournament period.
In the first round of the WTA tournament she had a bye as number two on the seeding list. Her second-round match, in which she would face Spain’s Paula Badosa, is scheduled for Friday.
Sabalenka and Badosa know each other well. Both even refer to each other as “soulmates” on their Instagram accounts. The Spaniard was correspondingly emotional about the death report: “I know the whole situation and what happened. It’s a bit shocking for me too, because at the end of the day she’s my best friend. I don’t want her to suffer.”
The number 80 in the WTA rankings won in the first round in three sets (1:6, 6:4, 6:3) against tour returnee Simona Halep. Ahead of the upcoming match, Badosa admitted that it was “a bit uncomfortable” to play against Sabalenka in the current situation, but at the same time made it clear: “I don’t want to talk about it. She’s my best friend and I promised her.”
Wozniacki reacts emotionally: situation is “heartbreaking”
Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki reacted emotionally. “I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now,” she admitted at the press conference after her first-round match against Clara Burel at the Miami Open.
The Dane was visibly moved and fought back tears during her answer. “I love Aryna, she is such an amazing person. She is always so happy on the pitch and to see what she has to go through is heartbreaking.”
The former world number one already had a brief opportunity to speak to the two-time Grand Slam winner and offer her support: “She walked past me and I gave her space, but also let her know that we are there for her are when she needs something.”