The WTA tournament in Miami (Florida, United States) began Tuesday with the players’ support for Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, who intends to play despite the death of her companion, according to the organizers.
The world No.2, aged 25, and winner of the Australian Open in January, trained on Tuesday afternoon at the tournament site. Organizers said she had not asked to be removed from the draw, and that she “intends to play.” Former Belarusian professional hockey player Konstantin Koltsov, companion of the champion, died “probably by suicide,” Miami-Dade County police announced earlier in the day.
Police were sent to a Miami Beach hotel the night before because “a man had jumped from a balcony,” police spokesperson Argemis Colome said in an email. “No criminal act is suspected” in this investigation, he added. Konstantin Koltsov, whose death was announced earlier by the Belarusian ice hockey federation, was 42 years old. During his career, this right winger played more than 140 matches in the NHL, the North American ice hockey championship, with the Pittsburgh Penguins team.
The ex-striker, father of three children from a previous union, had played in two Olympic Games with Belarus, in Salt Lake City in 2002 and in Vancouver in 2010, as well as nine editions of the world championships. His partner Aryna Sabalenka, who frequently trains in Miami and maintains accommodation there, did not immediately make a statement, but showed her willingness to play according to the tournament organizers.
“We all heard what happened last night, we saw the news coming this morning, and it’s terrible,” commented American Jessica Pegula (world number 5) “All we can do it’s offering our support,” she added.
“I hope she knows that even though we’re opponents, and we’re all trying to beat each other in this tournament, we’re all kind of family.” “It breaks our hearts,” said Danish Caroline Wozniacki, winner of her first match against Frenchwoman Clara Burel (6-1, 6-4). “I love Aryna, she’s a very beautiful person, always cheerful. I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”
Exempted from the first round like all the top seeds, Sabalenka should face the Spaniard Paula Badosa on Thursday. “I talked a lot with her, again this morning (Tuesday). I know exactly what she is going through,” said the Spaniard, a close friend of Sabalenka, at a press conference. “It’s also a shock to me because she’s my best friend and I don’t want to see her suffer. It’s very difficult. Playing against her won’t be pleasant at all.”
Badosa beat former Romanian world No. 1 Simona Halep on Tuesday (1-6, 6-4, 6-3), who was making her comeback in Miami since August 2022 after seeing her suspension for doping cut short. The suspension for two anti-doping offenses of Halep (32) was reduced from four years to nine months two weeks ago by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), allowing her to be invited to Miami.
Despite nearly 19 months without playing on the circuit, Halep showed that she had maintained a good level, before sagging as the match progressed. She was massaged on her right shoulder at the end of the 2nd set. The Frenchwoman Diane Parry (21 years old, 54th), who remains on a good course in Indian Wells (round of 16), won against the Romanian Jacqueline Cristian, 82nd in the world (7-6, 6-2), and will face Brazilian Beatriz Haddad Maia (13th) in the second round on Thursday. The men’s tournament begins Wednesday.
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