The former hockey player and boyfriend of Aryna Sabalenka passed away in Miami

The 42-year-old former Belarusian hockey player, Konstantin Koltsov, passed away in Miami, USA. The cause of death is unknown.

The information was confirmed by the press service of the Salavat Yulaev hockey club, where Koltsov worked as a coach. Konstantin went to Miami to support his girlfriend, Aryna Sabalenka, the second-ranked tennis player in the world from Belarus.

Koltsov's playing career as a Belarusian forward spanned from 1997 to 2015. Several insiders had previously reported that Koltsov was set to be appointed as the head coach of Dynamo Minsk and the Belarusian national team, replacing Russian coach Dmitry Kvartalnov, who holds both positions.

Sabalenka was seeded second in the Miami Open. In the second round, she was scheduled to play against either Simona Halep or Paula Badosa. However, it is likely that the Belarusian representative will withdraw from the tournament due to this tragic event.