Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has revealed that the sport served as a crucial coping mechanism following the death of her ex-boyfriend, former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov. Koltsov died in March 2024 at the age of 42 from apparent suicide.
Sabalenka, who was no longer in a relationship with Koltsov at the time, was practicing for the Miami Open when police informed her of his death. Despite the tragedy, she chose to compete in the tournament, a decision that drew criticism on social media but which she now describes as essential for her mental well-being.
"Tennis really saved me from depression," Sabalenka told Time Magazine in an interview 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."
Her coach, Anton Dubrov, had initially suggested she take time off, but Sabalenka felt that immersing herself in tennis was her only way to manage her grief. Koltsov died after falling from the balcony of a Miami hotel.
Sabalenka competed in the Miami Open, defeating close friend Paula Badosa before being eliminated in the Round of 32. She previously told Vogue that there is no single correct way to grieve and that returning to her sport was the only path that felt right for her.
This is not the first personal tragedy Sabalenka has faced. In 2019, she lost her father to meningitis at the age of 43. Her father had introduced her to tennis at a young age, fostering her passion for the sport.
Sabalenka has since become engaged to Brazilian entrepreneur Georgios Frangulis. Her coach noted that Frangulis has been very supportive of Sabalenka's career and has actively sought to understand how best to support her during competitions.