CINCINNATI, Ohio — Aryna Sabalenka has opened up about one of the darkest periods of her life, revealing in a new interview with TIME that tennis helped her cope with depression following the death of her former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov.
Speaking to TIME in an interview published Thursday, the world No. 1 reflected on the emotional aftermath of Koltsov’s death in March 2024 while she was preparing to compete at the Miami Open.
Despite suggestions from members of her team that she take time away from tennis, Sabalenka decided to continue playing.
“Tennis really saved me from depression.”
Sabalenka told TIME, explaining that focusing on training helped keep her from spending too much time alone with her thoughts. She also recalled crying frequently during practice and described the period as extremely difficult.
Sabalenka ultimately played in Miami, where she reached the third round before losing to Anhelina Kalinina. Her decision to return to competition so soon after the tragedy drew criticism on social media, but her experience highlights how differently people can navigate grief.
Now 28 and ranked No. 1 in the world, Sabalenka has transformed that difficult chapter into part of a larger journey that has taken her to four Grand Slam titles and the top of women’s tennis.
She arrives at the Cincinnati Open as the tournament’s top women’s seed, with the US Open just around the corner. A third consecutive US Open title would put her in rare company, making her the first woman since Serena Williams to accomplish the feat.
For Sabalenka, however, tennis has represented far more than rankings and trophies. During one of the most painful moments of her life, the sport gave her something to focus on and helped her keep moving forward.
Leave a comment