Spanish tennis star Paulo Badosa voiced support for her friend and next opponent Aryna Sabalenka over the tragic death of her boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov.
Koltsov, a former hockey player who played for NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, died by “an apparent suicide” as called by the Miami-Dade Police Department as no foul play has been suspected so far.
The death of her boyfriend at the young age of 42 came just days before Sabalenka was scheduled to begin her Miami Open campaign against Badosa, who had been her long-time friend.
Badosa defeated Simona Halep, whose four-year doping ban was givent he persmission to resume her career recently, and revealed that she has been talking to Sabalenka for the past two days and understands what the Belarusian is going through right now.
“She’s one of my best friends,” Badosa said to reporters on Tuesday after defeating Halep. “Yesterday, I spoke with her [for] 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.”
Sabalenka and Koltsov had been dating for three years after linking up with one another for the first time in 2021. The two often used to post pictures together on social media. His death came just five years after the death of the Belarusian’s father, Sergey Sabalenka.
Koltsov had always been a big support for Sabalenka as he used to travel regularly with her girlfriend to support her during the tournaments.
Former world No1 Caroline Wozniacki also weighed in on Koltsov’s tragic passing after her victory against Clara Burel at the Miami Open.
“I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now,” said Wozniacki. “I’m saying that. I’m also tearing up. 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.
“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.”
