Aryna Sabalenka shared joyful video of boyfriend Konstantin Kolstov showing their life together laughing and dancing with friends in a post before he died
- Koltsov, a coach in Russia's hockey league, died Monday of an apparent suicide after he jumped from a balcony, police in Miami confirmed
Grieving tennis star Aryna Sabalenka posted a touching video documenting her relationship with NHL star Konstantin Koltsov just three months before he took his own life.
Koltsov, a coach in Russia's hockey league, died Monday of an apparent suicide after he jumped from a balcony, police in Miami confirmed. He was 42 years old. Despite his coaching commitments, he was a near-constant presence at his girlfriend's biggest career moments.
His girlfriend, Sabalenka, 25, has confirmed that she will continue to participate in the Miami Open that began on Tuesday. The pair are both natives of Belarus.
As one of the 32 seeded players in the women's bracket, Sabalenka received a first-round bye. She is scheduled to make her initial appearance in the 2024 edition of the tournament in the second round Thursday, when she would face Paula Badosa.
In her clip showing the couple's relationship, Sabalenka made a Reel showing their most memorable moments during 2023.
![In her clip showing the pair's relationship, Sabalenka made a Reel showing their most memorable moments during 2023](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/09/82675337-13217805-image-a-6_1710927984812.jpg)
In her clip showing the pair's relationship, Sabalenka made a Reel showing their most memorable moments during 2023
![Sabalenko showed the couple constantly laughing throughout 2023 and looking forward to 2024](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/09/82675339-13217805-image-a-7_1710927989207.jpg)
Sabalenko showed the couple constantly laughing throughout 2023 and looking forward to 2024
![The couple made rain angels during a downpour on the court](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/09/82675341-13217805-image-m-9_1710927996158.jpg)
The couple made rain angels during a downpour on the court
![Koltsov played most of his career in the Russian Superleague, which morphed into the KHL, finishing with Dynamo Minsk in 2015-16 and going into coaching](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/09/82675345-13217805-image-a-10_1710928009669.jpg)
Koltsov played most of his career in the Russian Superleague, which morphed into the KHL, finishing with Dynamo Minsk in 2015-16 and going into coaching
![The two had been dating since 2021 when they announced their relationship on Instagram. Accompanying a picture of them kissing, Sabalenka wrote: 'It's good when there is someone who is able to understand my madness. But you won't get bored of me, right @Koltsov2021?'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/03/20/09/82675343-13217805-image-a-11_1710928013630.jpg)
The two had been dating since 2021 when they announced their relationship on Instagram. Accompanying a picture of them kissing, Sabalenka wrote: 'It's good when there is someone who is able to understand my madness. But you won't get bored of me, right @Koltsov2021?'
Koltsov and Sabalenka are seen kissing at a hockey game, holding hands with a toddler, training together in a gym and dancing on a boat. 'Thank you 2023! See u soon 2024,' the Australian Open champion wrote in the accompanying caption.
The video is set to the track They Don't Really Care About Us by Michael Jackson. It's not clear who the toddler in the video is. Koltsov had three children from his previous marriage.
The two had been dating since 2021 when they announced their relationship on Instagram. Accompanying a picture of them kissing, Sabalenka wrote: 'It's good when there is someone who is able to understand my madness. But you won't get bored of me, right @Koltsov2021?.'
Koltsov played in 144 NHL games for the Pittsburgh Penguins from 2003-06 after being selected in the first round of the 1999 draft, putting up 12 goals and 26 assists. The Penguins in a statement extended condolences to Koltsov's family and friends.
Koltsov played most of his career in the Russian Superleague, which morphed into the KHL, finishing with Dynamo Minsk in 2015-16 and going into coaching.
Koltsov served as an assistant coach for Salavat Yulaev Ufa the past two seasons. He also was an assistant on staff for the Belarusian men's national team.
National team coach Dmitry Baskov called Koltsov's death 'an irreparable loss.'
'Konstantin was one of the undisputable leaders of our team, a talented progressive coach, a bright player,' Baskov said in a statement.
'He was an example of sturdiness, hard work, dedication and an idol for many Belarusian boys and his colleagues. It's hard and unfair when such people leave so early.'
Salavat Yulaev Ufa expressed sorrow for the death of Koltsov, who won a Gagarin Cup championship with the club as a player in 2010-11.
'He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans,' the team said in a statement. '(Koltsov) forever wrote himself into the history of our club.'
Sabalenka won the Australian Open in January for her second consecutive title at Melbourne Park. She was featured during the Netflix docuseries Break Point, speaking emotionally about the death of her father when he was in his early 40s.
Her father, Sergey, was also a former professional hockey star and died aged 43 in 2019. Sabalenka has spoken openly of the motivation her father's passing has inspired her to kick on in tennis.
In Break Point, she said: ''We had one dream: that before 25, I will win a couple of Grand Slams,' the then-24-year-old said. 'Now I'm 24 and there is zero in my pocket'.