Aryna Sabalenka will reportedly play in the Miami Open following the death of her boyfriend, former ice hockey Winter Olympian Konstantin Koltsov.
Koltsov, who represented Belarus at the 2002 and 2010 games and played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, has died at the age of 42.
The Tennis Channel said in a broadcast on Tuesday that Sabalenka will start as scheduled in the second round this week but not carry out media duties during her campaign, according to multiple reports.
The Miami-Dade Police Department said Koltsov’s death was by “apparent suicide”, adding: “No foul play is suspected”.
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Sabalenka has a first-round bye and will face the winner of Tuesday’s match between Simona Halep and Paula Badosa on Thursday or Friday.
The 25-year-old two-time Australian Open champion is the second seed at the tournament, which also features world number one Iga Swiatek.
Koltsov death: Penguins pay respects
Koltsov, who retired from playing in 2016, was assistant coach for Russia Kontinental Hockey League team Salavat Yulaev Ufa.
A statement on their website said Koltsov “forever wrote himself into the history of our club” by helping them win the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup.
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 19, 2024
“He was a strong and cheerful person, it added. “He was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans… and did a great job on the team’s coaching staff.”
The Penguins issued a statement offering their “deepest condolences” to Koltsov’s family and friends, noting that he was their first-round draft choice in 1999 and a team-mate of storied players Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux during the 2005-06 season.
