This story is about suicide. If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
Belarusian tennis star Aryna Sabalenka received words of support from colleagues Tuesday after police said her former hockey player boyfriend died of “apparent suicide” in Florida earlier in the week.
Sabalenka, the world's No. 2 tennis player, will reportedly play the Miami Open on Friday but will not take questions from the media as she mourns the loss of 42-year-old Konstantin Koltsov. She will face Spain's Paula Badosa on Thursday.
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Aryna Sabalenka prepares to take the court from the players tunnel to play against Emma Raducanu of Great Britain in their third round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 11, 2024 in Indian Wells, California. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
“Yesterday I talked to her for a long time. This morning the same thing. So I know what she's going through,” Badosa said, via PA Media. “I know the whole situation, what is happening. For me it is a bit shocking to go through that because in the end she is my best friend and I don't want her to suffer. It is a very difficult situation.
“At the same time, playing against her is also awkward. But I don't really want to talk about it because I said I'm not going to talk about it. She's my best friend and I promised her that. She's a strong one.” Women. I think she will get the power from somewhere. “I hope it's a battle, a good game.”
Caroline Wozniacki described the “terrible situation” that Sabalenka must face
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus shows her frustration during the final of the 2024 Australian Open on January 27, 2024 at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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“I love Aryna. I think she's a great person. She's always very happy and she's out there. Watching her go through that, it's heartbreaking. Everyone cries in a different way. She was passing by today. I was giving her her space. . . I let her know that if she ever needs anything, I'm here, we're here to help her.”
Koltsov, who is also from Belarus, played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, as well as several teams in Russia and Belarus.
The Miami-Dade Police Department in Florida said he committed suicide.
Konstantin Koltsov, #71, of Pittsburgh, is shown in a game against Washington on Tuesday, March 30, 2004. (George Bridges/MCT/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“According to investigators, on Monday, March 18, 2024, at approximately 12:39 a.m., Bal Harbor Police and firefighters were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort, 9703 Collins Avenue, in reference to a man who jumped from a balcony.” the Miami-Dade Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital on Tuesday.
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“The Miami-Dade Police Department's Homicide Bureau responded and has taken over the investigation into the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov…No foul play is suspected.”
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