19 March 2024 , 08:17
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Former professional ice hockey player and boyfriend of tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, Konstantin Koltsov has died aged 42.
The forward was drafted to the NHL in 1999 and played for the Pittsburgh Penguins for parts of three seasons from 2002-2006 while representing Belarus at the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics. Nicknamed the 'Russian Rocket II' due to his similar playing style to Pavel Bure, he retired in 2016.
Having played for Russian club Salavat Yulaev and won the Russian Super League title with them in 2008, he returned as an assistant coach. The side released a statement in relation to his passing. It read: "It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away. He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans. Konstantin Evgenievich forever wrote himself into the history of our club. May he rest in peace."
Koltsov and Sabalenka were first linked together in 2021, with the former appearing on the two-times Australian open champion's social media channels. The former ice hockey star was present to celebrate his partner's most recent with Down Under in 2024, when the Belarusian star defeated Zheng Qinwen in straight sets.
The tragic news comes five years on from Sabalenka's father Sergey passing away sudden at the age of 43. The 25-year-old honoured her late father when she blew a kiss to the sky after her success at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne earlier this year.
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Sabalenka posted a tribute to her partner in April 2023 to celebrate his birtday. "I love you @koltsov2021," it read in a post accompanied by a series of photographs and videos of the couple.
Aryna Sabalenka and Konstantin Koltsov were together since 2021 (Instagram/sabalenka_aryna)"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 will have everything we planned I love you."
Sabalenka was due to play in the Miami Open after losing in the last-16 at Indian Wells last week. The 25-year-old is now expected to withdraw from the tournament and is reported to have been removed from the official practice schedule.