World quantity two Aryna Sabalenka intends to play within the Miami Open this week, organisers mentioned Tuesday, as fellow gamers provided their assist following the dying of her boyfriend in an obvious suicide. Sabalenka’s companion, Belarusian former NHL ice hockey participant Konstantin Koltsov, 42, died late Monday after leaping from the balcony of a room in an upmarket resort in Miami, police mentioned. Two-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka practiced on the Miami Open’s Exhausting Rock Stadium venue early on Tuesday afternoon as organisers mentioned she had not requested to withdraw and was “aspiring to play.”
The 25-year-old from Minsk, who gained the Australian Open in 2023 and retained her Melbourne title earlier this yr, is because of face Spain’s Paula Badosa within the second spherical.
Badosa, a close-friend of Sabalenka’s, mentioned the match can be “uncomfortable”.
“Yesterday I spoke along with her lots of time. This morning the identical. So I do know what she’s going via,” she informed a press convention.
“I do know your complete scenario, what is occurring. That for me is slightly bit surprising additionally to undergo that as a result of on the finish she’s my greatest good friend and I do not need her to endure. It is a very powerful scenario,” she added.
“On the identical level enjoying towards her, it is also uncomfortable.”
Miami-Dade police spokesman Argemis Colome mentioned in an electronic mail that on Monday at 12:39 a.m. (0439 GMT), police “had been dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony.
“The Miami-Dade Police Division, Murder Bureau, responded and has taken over the investigation of the obvious suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov. No foul play is suspected.”
Bal Harbour is a high-end district within the northern a part of Miami Seashore, identified for a luxurious shopping center and plush lodging.
‘Horrible scenario’
Sabalenka continuously trains out of Miami and retains a residence within the metropolis.
Former world primary Caroline Wozniacki mentioned the scenario was “heartbreaking.”
“I can not even think about what she’s going via proper now. I am saying that. I am additionally tearing up. It is such a horrible scenario. It is so arduous. I reached out to her and I informed her that I used to be right here if she wanted something.
“I really like Aryna. I feel she’s such an ideal individual. She’s at all times so blissful and on the market. To see her undergo that, it is heartbreaking. I can not even think about what she’s going via proper now. Everybody grieves another way.
“She was strolling previous at this time. I used to be giving her her area. I let her know that if she ever wants something, I am right here, we’re right here for her,” she mentioned.
American Jessica Pegula mentioned that the gamers had been conscious of the tragic information and providing assist to Sabalenka.
“I feel all of us all heard about it final evening after which clearly there’s extra information about it this morning, which was simply actually horrible,” she informed reporters.
“All you are able to do is basically provide assist for nonetheless she needs to take care of it. You by no means understand how somebody goes to take it or how they wish to grieve and everybody’s so completely different,” she mentioned.
Koltsov’s dying had earlier been confirmed by the Belarus hockey federation.
“We’re in mourning,” the federation mentioned on its web site.
Koltsov’s enjoying profession included a stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins within the NHL, the place he made 144 appearances between 2003 and 2006.
“The Penguins lengthen their deepest condolences to the household and mates of former Penguins ahead, Konstantin Koltsov,” the group mentioned in a press release.
He additionally performed for Belarus at two Winter Olympic Video games — Salt Lake Metropolis in 2002 and Vancouver in 2010 — in addition to 9 world championships.
He had three kids together with his spouse Julia, whom he divorced in 2020 earlier than he started a relationship with Sabalenka.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
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