Aryna Sabalenka has described the death of her former partner Konstantin Koltsov as an “unthinkable tragedy”.
Koltsov died on Monday after reportedly jumping off a hotel balcony in Miami, where Sabalenka is playing this week on the WTA Tour.
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The world number two will still compete in Florida and is slated to play close friend Paula Badosa in the second round tomorrow.
Australian Open champion Sabalenka wrote on Instagram: “Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken.
“Please respect my privacy and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Sabalenka and Koltsov got together in 2021 and had not revealed they had split up.
Koltsov, who represented Belarus at the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics and played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, died at the age of 42.
Having retired from playing in 2016, he was assistant coach for Russia Kontinental Hockey League team Salavat Yulaev Ufa.
