Heavy atmosphere at the women’s tennis tournament in Miami, Florida. Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka has decided, for the time being, to maintain her participation in the competition despite the death of her companion, announced earlier Tuesday March 19.

The 25-year-old world number two, winner of the Australian Open in January, practiced on Tuesday afternoon at the tournament venue. Organizers said she did not ask to be removed from the draw, and that she “intends to play.”

According to Miami-Dade County police, former Belarusian professional hockey player Konstantin Koltsov, companion of the champion, died “likely by suicide”. Police were sent to a Miami Beach hotel on the night of Monday to Tuesday because “a man had jumped from a balcony,” police spokesperson Argemis Colome said in an email. “No foul play is suspected” in this investigation, he added.

Konstantin Koltsov, whose death was announced earlier Tuesday by the Belarusian ice hockey federation, was 42 years old. During his career, which ended in Russia in 2016, this right winger played more than 140 matches in the NHL, the North American professional championship, with the Pittsburgh Penguins team between 2003 and 2006. The former striker, father of three children from a previous union, had played in two Olympic Games with Belarus, in Salt Lake City (United States) in 2002 and in Vancouver (Canada) in 2010, as well as nine editions of the world championships.

Support from many players

His partner, Aryna Sabalenka, who frequently trains in Miami where she keeps accommodation, and who did not immediately make a statement, receives the support of many other players.

“We all heard what happened last night, we saw the news coming this morning, and it’s terrible,” commented American Jessica Pegula, world number five. “All we can do is offer 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. I love Aryna, she is 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 spoke with her a lot, 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 for 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. »