March 20th 2024.
As the Miami Open approaches, Aryna Sabalenka is busy preparing for the competition. However, things are not as easy for her as they may seem. Her best friend, Paula Badosa, has expressed her discomfort about facing Sabalenka on the court after the tragic passing of her boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, just a day before.
Despite the heartbreaking news, Sabalenka was seen practicing on Tuesday, determined to compete in the tournament. Koltsov, a former ice hockey player, passed away in Miami in what the police have described as an "apparent suicide." Badosa, who recently defeated Simona Halep, spoke to Sabalenka before and after the incident and understands the difficult situation she is in.
Badosa shared, "Yesterday, I spoke to her a lot, and we talked again this morning. I know what she's going through, and it's a tough situation for her. She's my best friend, and I hate seeing her suffer. It's a challenging time for both of us, but I promised her that I won't discuss it further." Despite the awkwardness of playing against her best friend, Badosa is hoping for a good match between them.
Koltsov and Sabalenka had been a couple for almost three years, and their sudden separation has left the tennis community in shock. Caroline Wozniacki, who also participated in the Miami Open, became emotional when talking about the situation during her press conference. The former world number one said, "I can't even imagine what she's going through right now. It's heartbreaking, and I am also tearing up just thinking about it. I reached out to her and offered my support. I love Aryna, and she's such a great person. To see her go through this is devastating."
It's clear that Sabalenka has a strong support system in her fellow players, and her strength and resilience will be tested during the competition. Badosa is confident that Sabalenka will find the strength to compete and hopes for a challenging match between them. As the tennis community comes together to support Sabalenka during this difficult time, we can only hope that she finds the courage and determination to continue playing and honoring Koltsov's memory.
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