World quantity two Aryna Sabalenka intends to play within the Miami Open this week, organisers stated Tuesday, as fellow gamers provided their assist following the dying of her boyfriend in an obvious suicide. Sabalenka’s companion, Belarusian former NHL ice hockey participant Konstantin Koltsov, 42, died late Monday after leaping from the balcony of a room in an upmarket resort in Miami, police stated. Two-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka practiced on the Miami Open’s Hard Rock Stadium venue early on Tuesday afternoon as organisers stated she had not requested to withdraw and was “intending to play.”

The 25-year-old from Minsk, who gained the Australian Open in 2023 and retained her Melbourne title earlier this yr, is because of face Spain’s Paula Badosa within the second spherical.

Badosa, a close-friend of Sabalenka’s, stated the match can be “uncomfortable”.

“Yesterday I spoke with her a lot of time. This morning the same. So I know what she’s going through,” she advised a press convention.

“I know the entire situation, what is happening. 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,” she added.

“At the same point playing against her, it’s also uncomfortable.”

Miami-Dade police spokesman Argemis Colome stated in an e mail that on Monday at 12:39 a.m. (0439 GMT), police “were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort, in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony.

“The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, responded and has taken over the investigation of the obvious suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov. No foul play is suspected.”

Bal Harbour is a high-end district in the northern part of Miami Beach, known for a luxury shopping mall and plush accommodations.

‘Terrible situation’

Sabalenka frequently trains out of Miami and keeps a residence in the city.

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki said the situation was “heartbreaking.”

“I am unable to even think about what she’s going by way of proper now. I’m saying that. I’m additionally tearing up. It’s such a horrible scenario. It’s so laborious. I reached out to her and I advised her that I used to be right here if she wanted something.

“I love Aryna. I think she’s such a great person. She’s always so happy and out there. To see her go through that, it’s heartbreaking. I can’t even imagine what she’s going through right now. Everyone grieves in a different way.

“She was strolling previous at the moment. I used to be giving her her area. I let her know that if she ever wants something, I’m right here, we’re right here for her,” she said.

American Jessica Pegula said that the players were aware of the tragic news and offering support to Sabalenka.

“I feel all of us all heard about it final evening after which clearly there’s extra information about it this morning, which was simply actually horrible,” she told reporters.

“All you are able to do is absolutely supply assist for nevertheless she desires to take care of it. You by no means understand how somebody goes to take it or how they need to grieve and everybody’s so completely different,” she said.

Koltsov’s death had earlier been confirmed by the Belarus hockey federation.

“We are in mourning,” the federation said on its website.

Koltsov’s playing career included a stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, where he made 144 appearances between 2003 and 2006.

“The Penguins lengthen their deepest condolences to the household and pals of former Penguins ahead, Konstantin Koltsov,” the team said in a statement.

He also played for Belarus at two Winter Olympic Games — Salt Lake City in 2002 and Vancouver in 2010 — as well as nine world championships.

He had three children with his wife Julia, whom he divorced in 2020 before he began a relationship with Sabalenka.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)