Aryna Sabalenka requests privacy amid “unthinkable tragedy” following death of Konstantin Koltsov

World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka has requested privacy amid the “unthinkable tragedy” surrounding the death of Konstantin Koltsov, the man she was previously dating, in her first public statement about it on Wednesday afternoon.

The No. 2 seed at the Miami Open shared the following on Instagram Stories, in both English and Belarusian:

Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken. Please respect my privacy and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.

According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, the 42-year-old Koltsov was found dead in the early hours of Monday morning at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in what they reported as “an apparent suicide.” No foul play was suspected.

With the news breaking on the eve of the WTA 1000 tournament, Sabalenka’s participation in the event was called into question. On Tuesday, a WTA spokesperson confirmed to TENNIS.com that the two-time Australian Open winner was “still entered in the tournament as of now.” Tennis Channel’s Brett Haber and Martina Navratilova also reported on air that Sabalenka won’t be addressing the media or conducting any pre-tournament or post-match press conferences in Miami.

Sabalenka has continued to practice at the Hard Rock Stadium on courts visible—but not accessible—to the public, as she prepares for her first match against world No. 80 Paula Badosa.

Badosa, who has called Sabalenka “one of my best friends” as well as her “tour soulmate,” advanced to the second round after defeating Simona Halep 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. The Spaniard declined questions from the media about the situation during her post-match press conference as she offered her support to Sabalenka.

“Yesterday I spoke with her a lot of time. This morning the same. So I know what she's going through. I know the entire situation, what is happening,” Badosa said on Tuesday. “That for me is a little bit shocking also to go through that because at the end she's my best friend and I don't want her to suffer. It's a very tough situation.

“At the same time playing against her, it's also uncomfortable. But I don't really want to talk about it because I said I'm not going to talk about it. She's my best friend, and I promised that.”

Their match, originally scheduled for Thursday, is not listed on the day’s Order of Play, and has been moved to Friday at the tournament’s discretion.

This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.