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

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, 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.

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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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.

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.

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.

"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.

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

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

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

"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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"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.

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

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.

"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.

"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."

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

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

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.

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

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