By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Tragedy has hit Aryna Sabalenka again.
Konstantin Koltsov, Aryna Sabalenka's boyfriend, has died at age 42 by "apparent suicide," the Miami-Dade Police said.
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“According to investigators on Monday, March 18, 2024, at approximately 12:39 a.m., Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, 9703 Collins Avenue in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony,” the Miami-Dade Police Department told CNN. “The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, responded and has taken over the investigation of the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov …
"No foul play is suspected.”
Koltsov "jumped from a balcony" at the St. Regis Bal Harbour according to police.
The couple began dating in June of 2021.
The former pro hockey player was the No. 1 draft choice of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1999 NHL draft.
Belarusian Koltsov played three seasons for the Penguins, from 2003 to 2006, where he earned a reputation as a lighting-fast forward. Koltsov was a two-time Olympian for Belarus.
The Penguins paid tribute to their fallen former player on social media.
After departing the NHL, Koltsov played for Salavat Yulaev in the KHL and was launching his coaching career as a coach with the team.
"It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away," said Salavat Yulaev in a statement. "He was a strong and cheerful person, loved and respected by players, teammates and fans. Konstantin forever wrote himself into the history of our club. May he rest in peace."
The passing of her partner comes five years after Sabalenka's beloved father, Sergey, died at the age of 43 in 2019.
Sergey introduced daughter Aryna to tennis when he was driving by a tennis court one day with his six-year-old daughter, stopped the car and brought her to the court.
World No. 2 Sabalenka is seeded second in the Miami Open draw and still in the draw as of this writing.
Sabalenka is scheduled to face former Indian Wells champion Paula Badosa in her opener, but will not participate in press conferences, according to published reports. Badosa spoiled Simona Halep's comeback on Grandstand today with a 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory.
Photo credit: Konstantin Koltsov Instagram