Paola Badosa admits it will be “uncomfortable” to face best friend Aryna Sabalenka at Miami Open following the death of boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov, the world number two ”.
Former ice hockey player Koltsov, 42, died in Miami on Tuesday in what police called an “apparent suicide,” a day after Sabalenka was photographed practicing on social media. Her first match is scheduled for Thursday against Spain’s Badosa, who beat Simona Halep on the Romanian’s return from a doping ban.
Badosa said of Sabalenka: “I spent a lot of time talking to her yesterday. Same thing this morning. So I know what she’s going through. I know the whole situation, what’s going on. For me, It was also kind of shocking going through it because at the end of the day she’s my best friend and I didn’t want her to suffer. It was a very tough situation.
“At the same time, playing against her, it’s uncomfortable. But I really don’t want to talk about it because I said I wouldn’t talk about it. She’s my best friend and I promised that. She’s a strong woman. I think she’s going to get strength from somewhere. I hope it’s going to be a fight, a good game.”
Caroline Wozniacki became emotional as she spoke about the situation at a press conference, with the Dane saying: “I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now. I’m in tears too. It’s such a horrific situation. .It was so hard. I contacted her and told her I was here if she needed anything.
“I love Elena. I think she’s a wonderful person. She’s always so happy and out there. It’s so heartbreaking to see her go through this. Everyone grieves in a different way. She passed by today. I gave her space. I let her know that if she needed anything, I was here and we would be there for her.”
Koltsov, who played for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, often supported Sabalenka during games. The news was announced by Saravat Yulayev Ufa of the Russian ice hockey team where Koltsov once served as an assistant coach. Sabalenka’s father, Sergey, also a former ice hockey player, died in 2019 at the age of 43.
