Aryna Sabalenka’s best friend Paula Badosa admits it will be ‘uncomfortable’ playing her at this week’s Miami Open – as she trains through grief after boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov died ‘by suicide’

Aryna Sabalenka’s upcoming opponent Paula Badosa admitted it will be ‘uncomfortable’ to play against her on Friday – after the Australian Open champion’s boyfriend died by suicide.

Sabalenka’s friend Konstantin Koltsov “died by suicide” on Monday night after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami, police have confirmed.

The 42-year-old Belarusian, who played hockey for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, was announced dead on Tuesday by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on the social messaging site Telegram.

World No. 2 Sabalenka is still scheduled for the Miami Open and lines up against Badosa on Friday. She was filmed training on the track on Tuesday, practicing despite her grief.

Badosa said, “I mean, I don’t want to talk about it. But of course. Like I said before, she’s one of my best friends.

Sabalenka’s friend Konstantin Koltsov died Monday in an apparent suicide after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami. The tennis star is still scheduled for the Miami Open

Aryna Sabalenka (center) was spotted preparing for the Miami Open on Tuesday – just 24 hours after her boyfriend’s shocking death

‘Yesterday I talked to her a lot. Same thing this morning. So I know what she’s going through. I know the whole situation, what’s happening.

‘That’s a bit shocking for me to experience that too, because at the end of the day she’s my best friend and I don’t want her to suffer. It’s a very difficult situation.

‘Playing against her at the same time is also uncomfortable. Yeah, but I don’t really want to talk about it because I said I’m not going to talk about it. She’s my best friend and I promised that. I’ll stay like this. Sorry.’

Badosa defeated Simona Halep 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 – as the latter returned from a doping ban – to reach the next round of the Sunshine State tournament.

In footage shared by Polish sports commentator Bartosz Ignacik, Sabalenka is seen working her serve, 24 hours after Koltsov’s death was confirmed.

Miami-Dade police told Mail Sport that the investigation into Kolstov’s death is being treated as an apparent suicide.

According to investigators, Bal Harbor police and firefighters were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbor Resort in reference to a man who jumped from a balcony at 12:39 a.m. ET on Monday.

Reports from his native Belarus initially claimed that Kolstov had died of a “dislodged blood clot.”

Koltsov had been dating the two-time Australian Open champion for three years as of 2021

Badosa doesn’t want her ‘best friend’ Sabalenka to ‘suffer’ when they play against each other

Koltsov supported Sabalenka in Florida as she prepared for the upcoming Miami Open

Both Koltsov and Sabalenka recently shared their affection for each other on social media, with the former paying tribute to his girlfriend on International Women’s Day this year.

The death of Sabalenka’s partner comes just five years after she lost her father Sergey following his sudden death at the age of 43.

Like Koltsov, her father had also played professional hockey, and the Belarusian athlete has often spoken about the motivation her father inspired her in her tennis game.

Koltsov’s former club, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, wrote: ‘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.

‘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.”

Sabalenka and Koltsov were first linked in June 2021 and the two-time Australian Open winner 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.

Koltsov, a former professional hockey player, played for NHL franchise Pittsburgh Penguins

Koltsov’s tragic death comes just five years after Sabalenka lost her father Sergey

“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.’

For support, call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org or www.thecalmzone.net/get-supportor call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.