ACE TRAGEDY
Konstantin Koltsov dead at 42: Boyfriend of Australian Open champ Aryna Sabalenka and former NHL star dies
Young tragedy has already befallen Sabalenka
FORMER NHL star and Olympian Konstantin Koltsov has died at the age of 42.
The Belarusian was the boyfriend of tennis superstar and double Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka, 25.
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He appeared at both the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics for his national ice hockey team.
Koltsov also played at the highest level in the NHL, spending time with the Pittsburgh Penguins between 2002 and 2006.
Afterwards, he won the Russian Super League title with Salavat Yulaev in 2008.
And Koltsov had recently spent time there as assistant coach.
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Local police have called his death an "apparent suicide", adding: "No foul play is suspected."
Koltsov's death was announced in a statement by former team Salavat, with a club statement reading: "It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away.
"He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans.
"Konstantin Evgenievich forever wrote himself into the history of our club. May he rest in peace."
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Sabalenka, also from Belarus, and Koltsov reportedly began dating in 2021.
He has three children from a previous relationship.
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You're Not Alone
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It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
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Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
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On Kolstov's birthday last year, Sabalenka wrote on Instagram: "I love you @koltsov2021.
"Happy birthday my love. You are my dearest person, my best friend and my strongest support. Peace be with you, strength, patience and health.
"I hope we will have everything we planned I love you."
Sabalenka, who won her second straight Australian Open in January, is currently scheduled to play at the Miami Open on Friday.
It's not the first time she's experienced a tragic personal loss.
Her father, Sergey, passed away at the age of 43 five years ago.
He was also a former ice hockey player.
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Sabalenka previously revealed she had promised him she would become a Grand Slam before the age of 25.
Speaking last year, she said: "I lost my father four years ago. We had one dream, that before 25 I will win a couple of Grand Slams."
Salabalenka accomplished that feat with a second Australian Open in January.
After beating Qinwen Zheng, she told the crowd: "I never speak about my family in these speeches but I have to say thank you for everything they've done for me.
"I love you so much, you're my biggest motivation. I can't wait to come back."
She later added: "I never really speak about my family during speeches.
"But I just wanted to make sure that they know how much they mean to me and that they are my biggest motivation and I'm doing everything for them.
"Of course he's [father] my biggest motivation. He's been everything for me.
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"But right now I have my mom, my sister, who is here with me, and I feel like I have to think about them. I just feel that he's always with me.
"I'm very thankful for everything he did for me, and I think if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be here."
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