Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend’s cause of death revealed

Konstantin Koltsov, boyfriend of tennis superstar Aryna Sabalenka, has died suddenly. Now his tragic cause of death can be revealed.

The death of former NHL ice hockey player Konstantin Koltsov, the boyfriend of tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, is being treated as an “apparent suicide”, Miami Police said on Tuesday.

Police spokesman Argemis Colome said in an email that on Monday at 12:39 a.m. (0439 GMT), police “were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony.

“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.” Bal Harbour is a high-end district in the northern part of Miami Beach, known for a luxury shopping mall and plush accommodations.

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Sabalenka frequently trains out of Miami and keeps a residence in the city.

Two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka is scheduled to take part in the WTA and ATP Miami Open later this week.

Aged just 42, Koltsov was a former professional hockey player with the Belarus national team and played with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL.

Russian hockey club Salavat Yulaev, where Koltsov was an assistant coach, confirmed the news in a statement.

“It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,” the statement read.

Aryna Sabalenka and boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov. Photos: AFP/Instagram

“He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans. Konstantin Evgenievich forever wrote himself into the history of our club.

“May he rest in peace.”

Sabalenka and Koltsov had been together since 2021 and he was a regular part of her touring team at WTA tournaments.

Sabalenka, 25, regularly published Instagram posts of the pair on Tour and travelling the world together.

It is a second significant loss for Sabalenka, whose father passed away in 2019.

More photos of Sabalenka and Koltsov from Instagram.

The Belarusian won her second straight Australian Open title in January this year and credited her late father in her victory speech.

“He’s my biggest motivation. He’s been everything for me,” she said of her father after beating China’s Zheng Qinwen in the final at Melbourne Park.

Koltsov played 144 games for the Penguin from 2002-2006 and was also selected for the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympic Games for his country.

Koltsov’s death had earlier been confirmed by the Belarus hockey federation.

“We are in mourning,” the federation said on its website.

“The Belarusian Hockey Federation expresses its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and everyone who knew and worked with Konstantin.” Koltsov’s playing career included a stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, where he made 144 appearances between 2003 and 2006.

“The Penguins extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins forward, Konstantin Koltsov,” the team said in a statement.

Sabalenka lost in the round of 16 at the Indian Wells event to American Emma Navarro last week and was scheduled to feature at the Miami Open this Saturday Australian time.

With AFP

Originally published as Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend’s cause of death revealed