US Open winner Aryna Sabalenka: 'I should have stepped back, reset and recharge'

US Open triumph
Sabalenka's toughest loss
Koltsov's passing
Split up
2024 Australian Open
Only 42
Confirmed by his team
A detached blood clot
New information
St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort
A hockey star
Spartak Moscow and Dinamo Minsk
National team
Russian Super League Title
Three sons
US Open triumph

Aryna Sabalenka has won her first US Open, her third Grand Slam victory in total. The Belarusian defeated Jessica Pegula in the final, leaving behind a difficult period.

Sabalenka's toughest loss

Sabalenka, whose former boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov passed away in March of this year, recently told The Guardian, "looking back right now, I would say that a better decision would have been to step back, reset and recharge, and start everything over again," after the Belarussian played at the Miami Open just days after the tragedy.

"Just keep going"

Sabalenka, in an interview with The Guardian, also claimed, "Once, I lost my father and tennis helped me to go through that tough loss, So at that moment [of Koltsov’s death] I thought I had to just keep going, keep playing, keep doing my thing to separate my personal life from my career life."

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"Struggling"

The three-time Grand Slam winner added, "at the end I would say I was struggling a lot health-wise because I didn’t stop. It was really emotional and really stressful, and kind of damaged my mental health at that point," which is not surprising given the trauma she must have suffered.

Koltsov's passing

Former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov passed away in March of this year in what the Miami-Dade police have described as "an apparent suicide". Sabalenka, his former partner, spoke about the tragedy at the time.

Split up

The two had been in a public relationship since 2021, per Tennis365, but Sabalenka made it clear in an Instagram story that they had split up.

 

"An unthinkable tragedy"

"Konstantin's death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken. Please respect my privacy and his family's privacy during this difficult time," she wrote.

2024 Australian Open

Koltsov was often there to support Sabalenka at major tournaments, such as the 2024 Australian Open, which she won.

Only 42

Koltsov was only 42 years old at the time of his death.

Confirmed by his team

The news was confirmed on Telegram by the Russian hockey team Salavat Yulaev, where Koltsov was assistant coach.

"Deep sorrow"

"It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away," the statement read.

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"Strong and cheerful person"

"He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans. Konstantin Evgenievich forever wrote himself into the history of our club. May he rest in peace," the club added.

A detached blood clot

It was reported at the time that Koltsov passed away due to a detached blood clot, per Belarussian media outlet Telegraf.

New information

However, according to the Miami-Dade Police Department, Koltsov took his own life, CNN reports. He is suspected to have fallen from a hotel balcony, per the Daily Mail.

St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort

"According to investigators on Monday, March 18, 2024, at approximately 12:39 a.m., Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, 9703 Collins Avenue," the Police Department said.

 

"Apparent suicide"

"The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, responded and has taken over the investigation of the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov … No foul play is suspected."

A hockey star

The Belarussian himself enjoyed a fine career in hockey, playing for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, according to The New York Post.

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Spartak Moscow and Dinamo Minsk

Later, he also played for Russian top club Spartak Moscow and Dinamo Minsk, amongst others.

National team

Koltsov also made many international appearances for his national team, taking part in the 2002 and 2010 Olympics, per The New York Post.

Russian Super League Title

In 2008, he captured the Russian Super League title with Salavat Yulaev, according to The New York Post. He retired from professional hockey in 2016, Tennis365 reports.

Three sons

Koltsov had three children from a previous marriage, according to Tennis365.

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