Friend “suddenly died”
World number two Sabalenka receives terrible news
March 19, 2024, 8:10 a.m
Terrible news for Aryna Sabalenka: Konstantin Koltsow, the friend of the world number two in tennis, is dead. The former NHL professional “suddenly died”.
Former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov, friend of two-time tennis Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka, has died at the age of 42. This was announced by the Belarusian Ice Hockey Association. Koltsov, who competed for Belarus at two Olympic Games, “died suddenly,” the statement said. No further details were given.
“We mourn,” said the association’s website: “The Belarusian Ice Hockey Association expresses its deepest condolences to the family, friends and everyone who knew and worked with Konstantin.” The club Salavat Yulaev, for whom Koltsov had recently worked as an assistant coach, writes: “He was a strong and cheerful person who was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans. Konstantin Evgenievich has forever written himself into the history of our club .”
Koltsow played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL from 2002 to 2006. There has so far been no reaction from world number two Sabalenka, who is scheduled to play at the Miami Open this week. Koltsow and Sabalenka have been a couple since 2021 at the latest. The 25-year-old won the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024. When she won the final in January of this year, Koltsow was still sitting in his partner’s box and applauding. Even outside of the Grand Slams, Koltsow was always part of his girlfriend’s entourage at tournaments around the world.
Sabalenka had already lost her father in 2019. At the press conference after her triumph at the 2024 Australian Open, she said: “I never actually talk about my family in my speeches. But I just wanted to make sure they knew how much they mean to me and that they are my biggest motivation and me do everything for her.”