Aryna Sabalenka Plays in Miami Open 4 Days After Ex-Boyfriend Kostantin Koltsov's Death

The world No. 2 tennis player takes on a familiar opponent on Friday — her best friend Spaniard Paula Badosa

Aryna Sabalenka is playing in her first tournament since the death of her ex-boyfriend, former NHL player Konstantin Koltsov.

After an extended rain delay, the world No. 2 tennis player, 25, took the court against Spain’s Paula Badosa Friday afternoon at the Miami Open, four days after the 42-year-old Koltsov was found dead in nearby Bal Harbour.

The match was originally scheduled for Friday morning, but heavy rain in the area put the tournament in a weather delay.

The match comes days after the Miami-Dade Police confirmed to PEOPLE that Koltsov died by “apparent suicide” and had jumped from a balcony of the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort some time late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

Sabalenka, who had been linked to Koltsov since June 2021, broke her silence on Wednesday about what she called an “unthinkable tragedy."

“While we were no longer together, my heart is broken," Sabalenka wrote on her Instagram Story.

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Sabalenka ended her message with a request for supporters: "Please respect my privacy and his family's privacy during this difficult time."

Shortly after the news broke about Koltsov’s death, officials at the Miami Open confirmed that the Belarusian star would stay in the tournament but would not be made available to the media.

In past days, Sabalenka has been spotted practicing at the venue, where she’s now taking on a friendly foe — her best friend Badosa.

Earlier this week, the 26-year-old was asked about how she has helped support Sabalenka in the wake of Koltsov’s death.

“I know what she’s going through,” Badosa said. “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.”

Badosa added about the 2024 Australian Open winner: “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.”

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