Sabalenka Ex Boyfriend: Konstantin Koltsov, Former Nhl Player, Died By Suicide In March 2024

Life has a way of throwing us curveballs we never see coming. For tennis star Aryna Sabalenka, the start of 2024 was a high-wire act of triumph and tragedy. In March, her ex-boyfriend, former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov, died by suicide at the age of 42, sending shockwaves through the sports world.

The news broke while Sabalenka was competing at the Miami Open. She bravely took the court days later, a testament to her resilience. Koltsov, a Belarusian who played for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early 2000s, was more than just a retired athlete—he was a father, a friend, and a figure woven into the fabric of Sabalenka’s recent life.

The Man Behind the Headlines

Konstantin Koltsov wasn’t a household name in the same way as Sidney Crosby, but he carved out a solid NHL career. Drafted in 1999, he logged 144 games in the league, mostly with the Penguins, before returning to Russia and later Belarus.

His speed on the ice was his trademark—scouts called him “electric.” Off the ice, he was known for a quiet demeanor, a stark contrast to the high-octane world of professional tennis. Sabalenka and Koltsov began dating in 2021, often posting sweet, low-key snapshots of their life together.

Their relationship felt like a modern sports power couple: a tennis powerhouse and a hockey veteran. They balanced training schedules, travel, and public appearances with a sense of ease. “He’s my biggest support,” Sabalenka said in an interview just months before his passing.

What We Know About That Week

The Miami Dade Police Department confirmed Koltsov’s death on March 18, 2024, ruling it a suicide. The news was met with an outpouring of grief from the hockey and tennis communities alike. The Penguins released a statement calling him a “wonderful person.”

Konstantin Koltsov dead at 42: Boyfriend of Australian Open champ Aryna

Sabalenka chose to remain private, releasing a short, heartfelt statement: “Konstantin’s death is an unimaginable tragedy.” She withdrew from her first match but returned to play, her eyes red but her focus laser-sharp. It was a masterclass in compartmentalizing pain for the sake of craft.

This isn’t just a celebrity gossip story—it’s a reminder that mental health doesn’t care about your bank account or your Instagram following. Koltsov’s death highlights an often-overlooked crisis: the mental toll of life after professional sports.

The Mental Health Takeaway for All of Us

Here’s a hard truth: retired athletes face a unique kind of identity crisis. One day you’re a hero on the ice; the next, you’re adjusting to a world without the roar of a crowd. Studies show that retired NHL players report higher rates of depression and anxiety than the general population.

Practical Tip #1: If you or someone you know is struggling, use the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US). It’s free, confidential, and available 24/7. No, it’s not “dramatic” to call—it’s smart.

Ex-NHL Player Konstantin Koltsov, Boyfriend Of Tennis Star Aryna

Practical Tip #2: Build a “post-retirement” identity early. Whether you’re an athlete, a workaholic, or a stay-at-home parent, start a hobby that has nothing to do with your main gig. Koltsov enjoyed fishing and coaching—but it wasn’t enough to fill the void.

Cultural References to Keep It Real

If you’ve watched Apple TV’s Ted Lasso, you remember the episode where Coach Beard talks about the “dark forest” of the mind. Koltsov’s story feels eerily similar—a man who had the world at his skates but couldn’t find his way out of the woods.

Or think of BoJack Horseman, the animated series that brutally satirizes fame and depression. It’s a cartoon, but it nails the truth: success doesn’t inoculate you from pain. “You can’t have happiness without sadness,” the show says. True, but you also can’t have happiness if you’re too ashamed to ask for help.

Konstantin Koltsov, Former NHL Player and Boyfriend of Aryna Sabalenka

Did You Know? The NHL has a comprehensive mental health program called “Hockey Talks,” launched in 2013. But accessing care and feeling okay about accessing it are two very different things. Koltsov’s death has reignited calls for more proactive, less stigmatized support.

What This Means for Sabalenka’s Journey

Aryna Sabalenka is now navigating a double-edged reality: the peak of her career (she won the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024) and the valley of grief. She’s spoken about using tennis as a sanctuary, a place where she can channel her emotions into thunderous serves.

Her performances post-Koltsov have been raw, powerful, and occasionally erratic. She’s shown that you don’t have to be perfect to be strong. She’s crying in the locker room, then smiling on the podium. That duality is the very definition of grace under pressure.

A Fun Little Fact to Lighten the Mood

Want a random survival tip? Sabalenka’s favorite way to decompress after a match? Binging “Friends” reruns. She’s said in pressers that the show makes her laugh because it’s “so stupid and cozy.” Sometimes, the best therapy is a 90s sitcom and a bowl of pasta.

Konstantin Koltsov, former NHL player and boyfriend of Sabalenka, dead

Another one: Koltsov’s NHL nickname was “Koko,” a playful nod to his last name. It’s a small, humanizing detail that reminds us he was just a guy who loved hockey, his kids, and his girlfriend.

A Short Reflection for Your Daily Life

Here’s the thing about tragedy: it doesn’t announce itself. It’s a text message at 2 PM, a police call, a headline you scroll past while eating lunch. Konstantin Koltsov’s death is a global headline, but the underlying story is painfully local.

Take a minute today. Check in on the friend who seems “fine.” Text the colleague who retired last year. Ask your partner, “How are you really?” Not on a surface level—the real deal. Suicide prevention isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about the small, brave choice to listen without fixing.

And if you’re the one struggling? Remember that you are not your résumé or your scoreboard. Sabalenka will keep playing. The Penguins will retire jerseys. But none of that matters if we forget the person behind the name. Reach out. The world needs you on the court—or the couch, or the fishing boat—a little longer.