For Aryna Sabalenka, the world of tennis has always been a sanctuary. But when her former boyfriend, ex-NHL player Konstantin Koltsov, died tragically in March 2024, even that sanctuary felt shaky. In a revealing new interview, the world No. 1 has finally opened up about the devastating loss and the role that tennis played in pulling her back from the brink.
Koltsov, who was 42 at the time, passed away in an apparent suicide after jumping from a balcony at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in Miami, according to the Miami-Dade Police Department. The two had dated for a few years before going their separate ways, but the news still hit Sabalenka hard.
In her cover story for Time magazine's September issue, Sabalenka admitted that the grieving process was a struggle. "Tennis really saved me from depression," she said. "I was just trying to focus on training, just so I spend less time with myself in my thoughts." The Belarusian star described breaking down in tears during practice sessions, calling it "a very tough moment in my life."
Sabalenka, now 28, acknowledged that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to grief. "I don't know if there's any cliché about how you're supposed to grieve. I feel like in this situation, there is no right and wrong. We all need different things. For me, going back to work is the only way," she explained. "I'm 28, but sometimes I think I've had everything in life that you could imagine."
This isn't the first time Sabalenka has faced profound heartbreak. In 2019, her father, Sergey, passed away from meningitis. The four-time Grand Slam champion has honored his memory after every significant victory, and she spoke about how that loss shaped her drive. "After I lost my father, it's always been my goal to put our family name in the history of tennis," she told reporters, via People Magazine. "Every time I see my name on that trophy, I'm so proud of myself, I'm proud of my family that they never gave up on my dream and that they were doing everything they could to keep me going."
Sabalenka's resilience has been on display all year, and she continues to channel her pain into her game. As she prepares for her opening-round match at the Cincinnati Open this Sunday, fans are once again reminded of her strength both on and off the court. For more on Sabalenka's emotional journey, check out her stunning Time magazine cover shoot, which captures her in a new light.
The tennis star's ability to compartmentalize her grief and focus on her craft has earned her admiration from peers and fans alike. Her story is a testament to the healing power of sport, a theme that resonates across the athletic world. In a similar vein, the recent tragic death of Tyler Duckworth and the fatal climb of Jake Whisenant remind us that loss is an all-too-common part of the sports community.
As Sabalenka continues to dominate on the WTA tour, her openness about her struggles offers a rare glimpse into the mental toll that elite athletes carry. It's a reminder that even at the top of the world, the heart can still break.
