FORMER NHL star and Olympian Konstantin Koltsov died at the age of 42.
The Belarusian was the boyfriend of tennis superstar and two-time Australian Open champion Arya Sabalenka (25).
7
The boyfriend of tennis ace Aryne Sabalenka died at the age of 42
7
Konstantin Koltsov was a former NHL ice hockey star and Winter OlympianCredit: Getty
7
The Belarusian couple had been in a relationship since 2021
7
Koltsov has three children from a previous relationship Credit: Instagram
7
Sabalenka is scheduled to appear at the Miami Open this weekCredit: The Mega Agency
He also performed at the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics for his ice hockey team.
Koltsov also played at the highest level in the NHL, spending time with the Pittsburgh Penguins between 2002 and 2006.
After that, he won the Russian Super League title in 2008 with Salavat Yulaev.
And Koltsov recently spent some time there as an assistant coach.
The cause of his death has not been revealed.
But according to the Belarusian media Telegraf, Kolstov died of a “separated blood clot”.
Koltsov’s death was announced in a statement by former team Salavat, with the club’s statement reading: “It is with deep sadness that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away.
“He was a strong and cheerful person, loved and respected by players, colleagues and fans.
“Konstantin Evgenievich is forever inscribed in the history of our club. May he rest in peace.”
Sabalenka, also from Belarus, and Koltsov reportedly started dating in 2021.
Defeated US Open finalist Aryna Sabalenka fights back tears as she ‘fires her team’ in post-match interview
He has three children from a previous relationship.
On Koltsov’s birthday last year, Sabalenka wrote on Instagram: “I love you @koltsov2021.
“Happy birthday my love. You are my favorite person, my best friend and my biggest supporter. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.
“I hope we have everything we planned I love you.”
Sabalenka, who won her second consecutive Australian Open in January, is currently scheduled to play at the Miami Open on Friday.
It is not the first time she has experienced a tragic personal loss.
Her father Sergej died at the age of 43 five years ago.
He was also a former ice hockey player.
7
Sabalenka won her first Grand Slam at the 2023 Australian Open Credit: Getty
7
She retained her crown Down Under in January Credit: Getty
Sabalenka previously revealed that she promised him that she would become a Grand Slam before the age of 25.
Speaking last year, she said: “I lost my father four years ago. We had one dream, that before I was 25 I would win several Grand Slams.”
Salabalenka achieved this with her second Australian Open in January.
After defeating Qinwen Zheng, she told the crowd, “I never talk about my family in these speeches, but I have to say thank you for everything they’ve done for me.
“I love you very much, you are my biggest motivation. I can’t wait to come back.”
She later added, “I never really talk about my family during speeches.
“But I just wanted to make sure they know how much they mean to me and that they are my biggest motivation and I do everything for them.
“Of course it is [father] my biggest motivation. He was everything to me.
“But right now I have my mom, my sister, who are here with me, and I feel like I have to think about them. I just feel like he’s always with me.
I am very grateful to him for everything he has done for me and I don’t think I would be here if it wasn’t for him.
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education