by Sports Editorial Staff
Sabalenka took to the court against her best friend at the Master 1000 in Miami, beat her in two sets and went to the 2nd round. Both dressed in black, they hugged each other for a long time at the end of the race
On the field four days after the death of her (ex) boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, a 42 year old former hockey champion, who fell from a balcony of a Miami resort. Into the race after a six-hour wait due to wind and rain. This is Aryna Sabalenka’s response to the personal tragedy she is experiencing. The Belarusian tennis player, number 2 in the ranking, gave her best on the court – as she had anticipated – pulling out all the strength possible from the pain and prevailing in two sets 6-4 6-3, in an hour and 23 minutes , on the Spanish Paula Badosa, WTA number 80, rival but above all her best friend on the tour. Aryna, 25, has a troubled history and has experienced other strong shortcomings, such as that of her father who died five years ago from fulminant meningitis.
The hug between the two at the end of the match was beautiful and touching, both played with black outfits as a sign of mourning and respect. The progression of the match was also natural, in which Aryna even appeared smiling at times, like when the strong wind moved the ball when it was time to serve. In the end victory and embrace with the Spaniard, Sabalenka quickly left the field after Badosa, given that she had been allowed not to give interviews. Aryna is a very, very strong woman, with a strong personality. We are both strong women and we have proven it,” Badosa said.
The spotlight on this match was turned on not so much for its sporting importance (a second round), there was curiosity for the emotional aspect. Aryna had started training again almost immediately after Konstantin’s death, believing that this was the only real antidote to the pain she was and is experiencing. Work as a way to metabolize mourning, also distracting oneself from all the controversies following Kontantin’s death, a voluntary gesture according to the Miami police. Aryna and Konstantin had been together for three years, but the Belarusian champion clarified with a post on Instagram: I’m heartbroken, but we were no longer together.
In the third round Sabalenka will challenge the Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, a 27 year old from Nova Kakhovka.
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March 23, 2024 (modified March 23, 2024 | 09:42)
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2024-03-23 07:21:17
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