Aryna Sabalenka's best friend Paula Badosa admits it will be 'uncomfortable' to play against her at the Miami Open this week - as she trains through grief after boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov died 'by suicide'

Aryna Sabalenka's upcoming opponent Paula Badosa admitted it will be 'uncomfortable' to play her on Friday - after the Australian Open champion's boyfriend died by suicide. 

Sabalenka's boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov 'died of suicide' on Monday evening after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami, police have confirmed. 

The 42-year-old Belarusian, who played hockey for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins, was announced dead by his former club Salavat Yulaev Ufa on social messaging site Telegram on Tuesday.

World No 2 Sabalenka is still scheduled to play at the Miami Open and is lined up to face Badosa on Friday. She was filmed training on court on Tuesday, practising despite her grief. 

Badosa said: 'I mean, I don't want to talk about it. But of course. As I said before, she's one of my best friends. 

Paula Badosa (left) admitted it will be 'uncomfortable' to play against Aryna Sabalenka (right)

Sabalenka's boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov died in an apparent suicide after jumping from a hotel balcony in Miami on Monday. The tennis star is still scheduled to play in the Miami Open

Aryna Sabalenka (centre) was seen preparing for the Miami Open on Tuesday - just 24 hours after the shock death of her boyfriend

'Yesterday I spoke with her a lot of time. This morning the same. So I know what she's going through. I know the entire situation, what is happening. 

'That for me is a little bit shocking also to go through that because at the end she's my best friend and I don't want her to suffer. It's a very tough situation.

'At the same point playing against her, it's also uncomfortable. Yeah, but I don't really want to talk about it because I said I'm not going to talk about it. She's my best friend and I promised that. I'm going to stay like this. Sorry.'

Badosa beat Simona Halep 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 - on the latter's return from a doping ban - to reach the next round of the Sunshine State tournament. 

In footage shared by Polish sports commentator Bartosz Ignacik, Sabalenka can be seen working on her serve 24 hours after Koltsov's passing was confirmed. 

Miami-Dade police department told Mail Sport 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 had been dating the two-time Australian Open champion for three years since 2021

Badosa doesn't want her 'best friend' Sabalenka to 'suffer' when they play against each other

Koltsov was supporting Sabalenka in Florida as she prepared for the upcoming Miami Open

Both Koltsov and Sabalenka recently shared their affection for one another on social media, with the former paying tribute to his girlfriend on International Women's Day this year

The death of Sabalenka's partner comes just five years after she lost her father Sergey following his sudden death at 43.

Like Koltsov, her father had also played professional hockey, and the Belarusian athlete has often spoken of the motivation her father's passing her inspired in her tennis game.

Just three months before his death, Sabalenka posted a touching video documenting her relationship with him. 

In her clip showing the couple's relationship, Sabalenka made a Reel showing their most memorable moments during 2023.

Koltsov and Sabalenka are seen kissing at a hockey game, holding hands with a toddler, training together in a gym and dancing on a boat. 'Thank you 2023! See u soon 2024,' the Australian Open champion wrote in the accompanying caption.

The video is set to the track They Don't Really Care About Us by Michael Jackson. It's not clear who the toddler in the video is. Koltsov had three children from his previous marriage.

Sabalenka and Koltsov 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.

In her clip showing the pair's relationship, Sabalenka made a Reel showing their most memorable moments during 2023

Sabalenko showed the couple constantly laughing throughout 2023 and looking forward to 2024 

The couple made rain angels during a downpour on the court 

'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.'

Koltsov's old club, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, wrote: '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.'

National team coach Dmitry Baskov called Koltsov's death 'an irreparable loss.'

Koltsov, a former professional hockey player, starred for NHL franchise Pittsburgh Penguins

Koltsov's tragic death comes just five years after Sabalenka lost her father Sergey

'Konstantin was one of the undisputable leaders of our team, a talented progressive coach, a bright player,' Baskov said in a statement.

'He was an example of sturdiness, hard work, dedication and an idol for many Belarusian boys and his colleagues. It's hard and unfair when such people leave so early.'

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.