The cause of death of Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend is revealed after the Australian Open champion was stunned by a new tragedy five years after her father’s death

The cause of death of Aryna Sabalenka’s boyfriend has been revealed, with Miami police reporting an ‘apparent suicide’.

Konstantin Koltsov, who played hockey for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, was declared dead by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on social messaging site Telegram on Tuesday after the coach had a three-year relationship with Australian Open champion Sabalenka, 25 .

Sabalenka is in Miami preparing for the upcoming Miami Open, where she is seeded second, and Koltsov is said to have joined her in Florida before his shock wore off.

“It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Salavat Yulaev’s coach, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,” the Russian club’s statement read.

‘He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans. Konstantin wrote himself into the history of our club forever.

Miami police say Konstantin Koltsov died by suicide and there was no foul play

Koltsov played for the Pittsburgh Penguins and represented Belarus at two Winter Olympics

‘Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev and did a great job in the team’s technical staff.

“May his memory burn brightly.”

In a statement released Tuesday, Miami-Dade police confirmed that Bal Harbor police and firefighters were dispatched to the St Regis Bal Harbor Resort early Monday morning.

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

Earlier on Tuesday, Belarusian media outlets reported Telegraph reported that Koltsov died of “a dislodged blood clot.”

The death of the world number two’s partner comes just five years after the player lost her father Sergey following his sudden death at the age of 43.

Like Koltsov, Sabalenka’s father had also played professional hockey, and the Belarusian athlete has often spoken about the motivation her father gave her in her tennis playing.

After winning her second Australian Open title in January, Sabalenka achieved a feat she previously discussed in an episode of Netflix’s tennis docu-series Break Point.

Konstantin Koltsov, the friend of world number two Aryna Sabalenka, has died in Florida

“We had one dream: that I would win a few Grand Slams before I was 25,” said the then 24-year-old.

“Now I’m 24 and there’s zero in my pocket.”

Sabalenka and Koltsov are believed to have been dating for three years after they were first linked in June 2021 and the world number two has regularly posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.

“I love you @koltsov2021,” she wrote in a message with hearts and other emojis.

“Happy birthday my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my strongest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.

‘I hope we get everything we planned. I love you.’

On International Women’s Day, Koltsov shared a photo gallery of Sabalenka, dedicated to the tennis star, with the caption: “Happy holidays, my dear, I love you dearly.”

Two months ago, Koltsov personally supported Sabalenka in Melbourne and watched her lift the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup for the second year in a row.

Koltsov is said to have three sons from his previous relationship with his ex-wife Yulia, named Daniel, Alexander and Stefan.

The former head coach of Dynamo Minsk paid tribute to his girlfriend two weeks ago on International Women’s Day

Koltsov (pictured in white cap) was in Sabalenka’s box to watch her win the Australian Open in January

The former world number one won consecutive trophies in Melbourne at the age of 25

In the wake of the tragedy, fellow WTA tour member Sloane Stephens appeared to respond to the news on Twitter, writing: “That moment when you can actually feel the pain in your chest when you hear or see something that breaks your heart (broken heart ). emoji).’

The former world number three did not refer directly to Sabalenka, but many fans on social media site X believe her post was written in light of the news in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

Sabalenka lost to Emma Navarro in the last 16 at Indian Wells last week after knocking out former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, and is scheduled to play her first match at the Miami Open on Friday March 2022.

Known for his speed on the ice, Koltsov won the 2008 Russian Super League title with Salavat Yulaev and recently returned to the club as an assistant coach.

Koltsov was previously part of the technical staff of Dinamo Minsk and Spartak Moscow, and was also head coach at Brest and Dinamo Maladzyechna.