Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has revealed that she used tennis as a coping mechanism to manage her grief and depression following the death of her former boyfriend, former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov. Koltsov died from apparent suicide at the age of 42 in March 2024, shortly before the Miami Open.
Sabalenka, who was no longer in a relationship with Koltsov at the time, was practicing nearby when she was informed of his death. Despite the tragedy, she chose to continue competing in the tournament. This decision drew criticism on social media, but Sabalenka explained in an interview with Time Magazine that immersing herself in her sport was the only way she could cope.
"Tennis really saved me from depression," Sabalenka told Time Magazine for their September cover issue. "I was just trying to focus on training, just so I spend less time with myself in my thoughts. I would cry in practice a lot. It was a very tough moment in my life."
Koltsov died after falling from a balcony on the 23rd floor of a Miami hotel. Police informed Sabalenka of his death during a practice session ahead of the Miami tournament. She had previously shared with Vogue that she struggled to accept the news, describing it as a "heartbreaking loss."
Sabalenka competed in the Miami Open, defeating close friend Paula Badosa before being eliminated in the Round of 32 by Anhelina Kalinina. She told Vogue in May that there is no singular way to grieve and that returning to work was the best approach for her.
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Her coach, Anton Dubrov, had initially suggested she take time off, but Sabalenka insisted on continuing with tennis. Her fiancé, Georgios Frangulis, whom she became engaged to in March of this year, has been supportive of her career.
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This is not the first personal tragedy Sabalenka has faced. In 2019, her father passed away suddenly from meningitis at the age of 43. Her father had introduced her to tennis and was a significant influence on her career.