Who Was Aryna Sabalenka's Boyfriend? What to Know About the Late Konstantin Koltsov

Mar. 15, 2025

Aryna Sabalenkacontinues to remember her former late boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov.

Sabalenka, who appeared in Netflix’sBreak Pointtennis docuseries, won her first Grand Slam women’s singles title at the Australian Open in 2023. When the athlete won her second-consecutive Australian Open win in January 2024, Koltsov celebrated her on Instagram, writing, “Congratulations again my love.”

In August 2024, Sabalenka told theIndependentthat she should have taken a break from tennis after Koltsov’s death, admitting that “health-wise I was struggling a lot.”

“Looking back I definitely think that I should have just stopped and just separated myself from tennis, just have a little break, recharge and start things over again," she said.

A month later, Sabalenka won the US Open in New York City. Her boyfriend, Oakberry founderGeorgios Frangulis, whom she’s been dating since April 2024, was in the stands.

From his professional hockey career to his relationship with Aryna Sabalenka, here’s everything to know about the late Konstantin Koltsov.

He was a former professional ice hockey player

Richard Wolowicz/Getty

He was from Belarus

Aryna Sabalenka Instagram

The ice hockey player was from Minsk, Belarus — the same city Sabalenka was born in,according to her WTA profile.

He and Sabalenka were first linked in June 2021

Sabalenka and Koltsov became Instagram official in June 2021. On June 19, she shared a picture of Koltsovkissing her on the cheekas she smiled at the camera.

“It’s good when there is someone who is able to understand my madness😅,” the tennis player wrote in the caption, adding, “but you won’t get bored with me, right @koltsov2021 ? 🤣❤️.”

While Koltsov’s Instagram remained private, Sabalenka occasionally posted about her boyfriend on social media.

He and Sabalenka frequently traveled together

In May 2022, Sabalenka and Koltsov traveled around Rome, Italy, together. She posted severalphotos from the tripon Instagram of the couple posing in front of the Coliseum andthe Trevi Fountain, as well as eating gelato together.

They also visited Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in July 2022. Sabalenka shared a photo of herself in a green bikini holding Koltsov’s hand, as he wrapped his other arm around her waist.“Having fun on the beach 🏝,” she wrote in theirjoint Instagram post.

He was a dad of three

Koltsov reportedly welcomed three children during a previous relationship: sons Daniel, Alexander and Stefan.

In December 2022, Sabalenka participated in a Q&A on her Instagram Story. When a fan asked her “Do you think you’ll be an amazing stepmother?” she wrote, “I don’t know … I guess yes” over a photo of a little boy kissing her face. She added, “Stefan loves me.”

Sabalenka also tagged Koltsov in the picture of Stefan giving her a kiss.

In April 2023, Sabalenka tagged Koltsov in another picture of her and Stefan, which she posted on her Instagram Story. In the snap, the little boy held the tennis star’s hand in what appeared to be a mall. “Dinner was good,” Sabalenka wrote over the photo.

He died in March 2024

The KHL team that Koltsov coached for, Salavat Yulaev Ufa, confirmed the news of his death on March 18, 2024. “It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that Salavat Yulaev coach Konstantin Koltsov has passed away,” the team said in a statement.

Koltsov’s former team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, also acknowledged his death online, writing on Instagram, “The Penguins extended their deepest condolences to the family and friends of former Penguins forward, Konstantin Koltsov.” The team added that Koltsov was the Penguins' first-round draft pick in 1999.

The statement continued, “The Miami-Dade Police Department, Homicide Bureau, responded and has taken over the investigation of the apparent suicide of Mr. Konstantin Koltsov. No foul play is suspected.”

source: people.com