World quantity two Aryna Sabalenka intends to play within the Miami Open this week, organisers mentioned Tuesday, as fellow gamers supplied their assist following the dying of her boyfriend in an obvious suicide.
Sabalenka’s accomplice, 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 at the Miami Open’s Hard Rock Stadium venue early on Tuesday afternoon as organisers mentioned she had not requested to withdraw and was “intending to play.”
The 25-yr-outdated from Minsk, who gained the Australian Open in 2023 and retained her Melbourne title earlier this yr, is because of face Spain’s Paula Badosa within the second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.
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Badosa, a detailed-buddy of Sabalenka’s, mentioned the match could be “uncomfortable”.
“Yesterday I spoke with her a lot of time. This morning the same. So I know what she’s going through,” she instructed a press convention.
“I know the entire situation, what is happening. That for me is a little bit shocking also to go through that because at the end she’s my best friend and I don’t want her to suffer. It’s a very tough situation,” she added.
“At the same point playing against her, it’s also uncomfortable.”
Miami-Dade police spokesman Argemis Colome mentioned in an e-mail that on Monday at 12:39 a.m. (0439 GMT), police “were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony.
“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.”
Bal Harbour is a excessive-finish district within the northern a part of Miami Beach, recognized for a luxurious shopping center and plush lodging.
– ‘Terrible situation’ –
Sabalenka continuously trains out of Miami and retains a residence within the metropolis.
Former world primary Caroline Wozniacki mentioned the state of affairs was “heartbreaking.”
“I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now. I’m saying that. I’m also tearing up. It’s such a terrible situation. It’s so hard. I reached out to her and I told her that I was here if she needed anything.
“I love Aryna. I think she’s such a great person. She’s always so happy and out there. To see her go through that, it’s heartbreaking. I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now. Everyone grieves in a different way.
“She was walking past today. I was giving her her space. I let her know that if she ever needs anything, I’m here, we’re 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 think all of us all heard about it last night and then obviously there’s more news about it this morning, which was just really horrible,” she instructed reporters.
“All you can do is really offer support for however she wants to deal with it. You never know how someone is going to take it or how they want to grieve and everyone’s so different,” she mentioned.
Koltsov’s dying had earlier been confirmed by the Belarus hockey federation.
“We are in mourning,” the federation mentioned on its web site.
Koltsov’s taking part in profession included a stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins within the NHL, the place he made 144 appearances between 2003 and 2006.
“The Penguins extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins forward, Konstantin Koltsov,” the group mentioned in a press release.
He additionally performed for Belarus at two Winter Olympic Games — Salt Lake City 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 News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – AFP)
