Aryna Sabalenka still 'intends to play' in the Miami Open this week following the tragic death of her boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov.
News broke on Tuesday that Koltsov, a former ice hockey player who represented Belarus at two Winter Olympics, died at the age of 42.
He was in Miami when he died and the local police department said it was an 'apparent suicide'.
Despite Kolstov's tragic death, Sabalenka still intends to play the Miami Open and was spotted training at the tournament venue on Tuesday with her coaching staff.
Aryna Sabalenka still intends to play
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As the No 2 seed in the draw, Sabalenka was given a bye for the first round and is not scheduled to play until Friday against Paula Badosa.
The Spaniard defeated Simona Halep on the Romania star's return from her doping ban.
Badosa has admitted it will be 'uncomfortable' facing off against her close friend Sabalenka in the wake of Koltsov's passing.
"I don't want to talk about it. But of course. As I said before, she's one of my best friends," Badosa said.
“Yesterday I spoke with her a lot of time. This morning the same. So I know what she’s going through.
“I know the entire situation, what is happening. That for me is a little bit shocking also to go through that because at the end she’s my best friend and I don’t want her to suffer. It’s a very tough situation.
“At the same point playing against her, it’s also uncomfortable.”
Former world No 1 Caroline Wozniacki also offered her condolences to Sabalenka and called the situation 'heartbreaking'.
“I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now. I’m saying that. I’m also tearing up," she said.
Konstantin Koltsov was in Miami when he died
“It’s such a terrible situation. It’s so hard. I reached out to her and I told her that I was here if she needed anything.
“I love Aryna. I think she’s such a great person. She’s always so happy and out there. To see her go through that, it’s heartbreaking.
"I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now. Everyone grieves in a different way.
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Konstantin Koltsov and Aryna Sabalenka had been dating since 2021
“She was walking past today. I was giving her her space. I let her know that if she ever needs anything, I’m here, we’re here for her."
Koltsov spent three years playing in the NHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins before retiring from the sport in 2016.
He had three children with his ex-wife Julia, who he divorced from back in 2020.
