Report: Aryna Sabalenka Plans to Play in WTA Miami Open Field Despite Boyfriend’s Death
Editor’s note: If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in emotional distress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka still plans to compete in this week’s WTA Miami Open days after her longtime boyfriend, ex-NHL player Konstantin Koltsov, died from an apparent suicide in Miami.
The Belarusian’s first match at the Miami Open is set for Friday, March 22. While she plans to play in the tournament, she will not be speaking to any media during her run, Tennis Channel reports. She has not made a public statement about Koltsov’s death since it was announced on Tuesday.
Koltsov’s death was first reported to be due to a “detached blood clot,” according to Belarusian media outlet Telegraf, but the Miami-Dade Police Department later announced on Tuesday that they are investigating his death as an apparent suicide.
She began dating Koltsov in June 2021, according to People.
Sabalenka is coming off back-to-back Australian Open titles as she next prepares for May’s French Open Grand Slam tournament.