Aryna Sabalenka 'will still play the Miami Open', despite the shock death of her boyfriend and ex-NHL player Konstantin Koltsov at age 42

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World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka will still play the Miami Open, despite the death of her boyfriend Konstantin Kolstov, according to a report. 

Kolstov, a former professional hockey player, died at the age of 42 in an apparent suicide in the early hours of Monday morning in Miami, Florida. 

The Belarusian is believed to to have joined his tennis star girlfriend in Miami as she prepared for the Miami Open. 

Despite Kolstov's shock passing, the two-time Australian Open champion still intends to play the tournament in the Sunshine State, where she is seeded second, according to the Tennis Channel. 

However, Sabalenka will not speak to the media following her rounds. 

Aryna Sabalenka's boyfriend Konstantin Kolstov died at the age of 42 early Monday morning 

The tennis world No 2 reportedly still intends to play the Miami Open this week 

The 25-year-old is scheduled to play her first round on Friday against the winner of Simona Halep and Paula Badosa's opening round match. 

Miami-Dade police department told DailyMail.com that the investigation into Kolstov's death is being treated as an apparent suicide. 

Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony at 12.39am ET Monday, according to investigators. 

Reports from his native Belarus had initially claimed that Kolstov had died of a 'detached blood clot'. 

Koltsov, who played hockey for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, was confirmed dead by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on social messaging site Telegram on Tuesday. 

'It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that the coach of Salavat Yulaev, Konstantin Koltsov, has passed away,' the Russian club's statement read.

'He was a strong and cheerful person, he was loved and respected by players, colleagues, and fans. Konstantin forever wrote himself into the history of our club.

'Koltsov won the Russian Championship and the Gagarin Cup as part of Salavat Yulaev, and did a great job on the team’s coaching staff.

'May his memory burn bright.'

Kolstov had been dating Sabalenka with the couple thought to have been together for three years. 

The 25-year-old has been in Miami preparing for the upcoming Open when Koltsov is believed to have passed

Sabalenka and Koltsov were first linked in 2021 and he regularly appeared on her Instagram

Koltsov was selected by the Penguins with the No. 18 overall pick in the 1999 NHL Draft

They were first linked in June 2021 and the two-time Australian Open winner has frequently posted photos of them together on her Instagram account.

'I love you @koltsov2021,' she wrote in one post that included heart and other emojis.

'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.'

On International Women's Day, Koltsov shared a gallery of pictures of Sabalenka, devoted to the tennis star, with the caption: 'Happy holiday, my love, I love you madly'. 

Koltsov is believed to have three sons from his previous relationship with his ex-wife Yulia, named Daniel, Alexander and Stefan. 

The tragedy comes so soon after Sabalenka lost her father under similar upsetting circumstances. 

The player's late father Sergey - who was also a former professional ice hockey player - died suddenly in 2019 at the age of just 43.

Kolstov spent parts of three seasons in Pittsburgh from 2002 and 2006 after being selected by the Penguins with the No. 18 overall pick in the 1999 NHL Draft. 

Koltsov (pictured in the white cap) was in Sabalenka's box to watch her win the Australian Open in January

The former Dynamo Minsk head coach paid tribute to his girlfriend on International Women's Day two weeks ago

Following his stint in the NHL, Koltsov won the Russian Super League title with Salavat Yulaev, who confirmed his death, in 2008, and more recently returned to the club as an assistant coach.

Koltsov previously served on the coaching staffs of Dinamo Minsk and Spartak Moscow, as well as seeing out tenures as head coach at Brest and Dinamo Maladzyechna. 

Koltsov also played for the Belarusian national team in the 2002 and 2010 Winter Olympics. 

For support call Samaritans on 116123 in the UK or visit www.samaritans.org or www.thecalmzone.net/get-support, or call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988 in the US.