Aryna Sabalenka shared an emotional embrace with friend Paula Badosa on Friday after their Miami Open match following the tragic death of the Belarusian tennis star’s ex-boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, earlier this week.
The 25-year-old Sabalenka hugged Spain’s Badosa at the end of their round of 64 match, which Sabalenka won in straight sets (6-4, 6-3).
The match comes two days after Sabalenka broke her silence on Koltsov, whose passing at the age of 42 has been reported as an “apparent suicide” by the Miami-Dade Police Department.
“Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken,” Sabalenka posted to her Instagram story in both English and Belarusian.
“Please respect my privacy and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
Badosa, 26, said Tuesday that she has been in constant contact with Sabalenka in the wake of the tragedy.
“I mean, I don’t want to talk about it. But of course. As I said before, she’s one of my best friends,” she said, according to the Daily Mail.
“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. Yeah, 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 that. I’m going to stay like this. Sorry.”
Badosa defeated Romania’s Simona Halep (6-1, 4-6, 3-6) to advance to Friday’s match against the current world No. 2.
Koltsov’s death was first announced Tuesday by Russian hockey club Salavat Yulaev, where he served as an assistant coach.
The Miami-Dade Police Department later addressed developments in a statement.
“According to investigators on Monday, March 18, 2024, at approximately 12:39 a.m., Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, 9703 Collins Avenue, in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony,” the statement read.
“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.”
Koltsov, who played across three NHL seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2002-06, was first linked to Sabalenka in 2021.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
