Terrible news for the world of sport. Konstantin Koltsov, companion of world number 2 tennis player Aryna Sabalenka, died suddenly at the age of 42. The Belarusian, who shared the life of the yellow ball star, was a former professional NHL hockey player converted to coach.
It was his Russian club Salavat Yulaev which confirmed the information which appeared earlier on social networks during the night from Monday to Tuesday. “We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Konstantin Koltsov, the coach of Salavat Yulaev. He was a strong and cheerful man, loved and respected by players, colleagues and supporters. Konstantin has forever been part of the history of our club,” laments his team.
Konstantin Koltsov played for the Belarusian national team in the 2002 and 2010 Olympics and spent three seasons with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins. He shared Aryna Sabalenka’s life for many years. The tennis champion, former world number 1 and double title holder at the Australian Open, lost a new loved one after the death of her father 5 years ago.
She received support from 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens. “That moment when you can actually feel the pain in your chest hearing or seeing something that breaks your heart,” she wrote mysteriously on X (formerly Twitter) before the information was confirmed.
This Tuesday afternoon, the Miami police, where the player must take part in the WTA Tournament this week, raised the possibility of suicide to explain the circumstances of this death, explaining that they had been called after a man fell. from the balcony of his hotel.
