Sabalenka reveals psychological and bodily ache after demise of ex-partner

Aryna Sabalenka has opened up on how the tragic death of her ex-boyfriend forced her to discover levels of mental strength she never thought possible.

Former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov died in March after falling from a balcony on the 23rd floor of a five-star hotel in Miami. 

He was just 42 and afterwards Sabalenka said: ‘While we were no longer together, my heart is broken’.

Five months on, the world No 2 is in New York, looking to go one step further than at last year’s US Open, when she was beaten by Coco Gauff in the final.

The Belarussian believes she has been hardened by the terrible off-court experience, which culminated in mental turmoil and physical injury earlier this summer.

Tennis star Aryna Sabalenka has opened up on the tragic death of her ex-boyfriend

Former NHL player and Sabalenka’s fellow Belarusian Konstantin Koltsov died earlier this year

‘Definitely after this year mentally I will become even stronger,’ she said on Friday.

‘I felt like there was no gap to get stronger mentally than I am at the moment. But yeah, things showed me that actually there is way to improve.’

Sabalenka initially refused to take any time off following the tragedy – just as she did following the death of her father, Sergey, in 2019.

The day after Kolstov’s death, Sabalenka practiced ahead of the Miami Open, where she beat close friend Paula Badosa.

The 26-year-old has now conceded that she needed a break from the sport.

Koltsov died aged 42 in March after falling from a hotel balcony on the 23rd floor in Miami

‘Looking back, I definitely think that I should have just stopped and just separated myself from tennis. To have this little break and recharge and start things over again,’ she said.

‘I carried a lot. At the end, it just hit me – I was sick, I was injured, I had stomach issues at the French Open. Health-wise I was struggling a lot.

Sabalenka was ultimately forced to take time away from the court after a recent shoulder injury and she said on Friday: ‘This break was much needed. Not like I’m happy to get injured.

‘But I’m happy that I had this time off and this kind of like time to reset my mind, and yeah, to get ready for the hard court.’

Miami Police say the Belarusian former professional hockey player fell to his death at the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort