Miami organisers give Sabalenka extra day after Konstantin Koltsov passes away

Konstantin Koltsov, the Belarusian former professional ice hockey player and former boyfriend of Aryna Sabalenka, has died in Miami at the age of 42.

The news was announced by Russian ice hockey club Salavat Yulaev – who were coached by Koltsov – on Tuesday.

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

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

Koltsov played for the Belarus national team, representing the country in the 2002 and 2010 Olympics, as well as having spells playing with the National Hockey League’s Pittsburgh Penguins in 2002 and 2006.

Koltsov and Sabalenka were first romantically linked in June 2021, and have since both posted publicly about their relationship on social media.

It is understood that Koltsov was in Miami to support Sabalenka in the Miami Open, which begins this week. Sabalenka has since posted on social media that she and Koltsov were no longer together.

Tournament organisers indicated later on Tuesday that Sabalenka does not intend to withdraw. Her opening match is against her close friend Paula Badosa, who said after her first-round win over Simona Halep that she had been in contact with Sabalenka throughout “a very tough situation”, although she did not want to talk any further on the topic.

Sabalenka was also seen on the Miami practice courts on Tuesday evening.

In a nice touch, the tournament has given Sabalenka an extra day given her circumstances. The Belrusian’s side of the draw is due to play their round two matches on Wednesday, but Sabalenka’s match has not been included in the order of play.