Konstantin Koltsov, the boyfriend of two-time Grand Slam winner Aryna Sabalenka and a former ice hockey player, died at the age of 42, the Belarusian Hockey Federation announced on Tuesday.
In a brief statement, the federation stated that Koltsov “died suddenly,” but did not specify how or where he died.
“We are in mourning,” the federation said on its website.
“The Belarusian Hockey Federation expresses its deepest condolences to the family, friends, and everyone who knew and worked with Konstantin.”
Koltsov’s playing career included a stint with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the NHL, where he made 144 appearances between 2003 and 2006.
“The Penguins extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins forward, Konstantin Koltsov,” the team said in a statement.
He also competed for Belarus in two Olympic Games (Salt Lake City in 2002 and Vancouver in 2010) and nine world championships.
He had three children with his wife Julia, whom he divorced in 2020, before starting a relationship with Sabalenka.
The 25-year-old Sabalenka, the world number two, had no quick reply. She is set to play in the Miami Open this week.
The Belarusian won the Australian Open in 2023 and defended her Melbourne crown earlier this year.