Sabalenka was given an extra day. Not on the OOP tomorrow despite her half of the draw playing their R2 tomorrow. Good touch from the tournament.
Aryna SABALENKA given extra day in nice touch by Miami Open organisers after reported suicide of boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov
WTAWednesday, 20 March 2024 at 23:15
Aryna Sabalenka won't begin her campaign on Thursday at the Miami Open as was priorly expected and instead will have an extra day in order to recoup and prepare after the sudden passing of her boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov at the age of 42.
Her boyfriend Koltsov as per the Miami-Dade Police Department reportedly committed suicide, with his ex-wife having the belief that he was likely drunk and fell over the balcony instead of doing it with intent with hotel rooms and parcels ordered by the ex-NHL hockey star. Sabalenka has since released a statement saying she is heart-broken and asked for privacy at this time.
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But Sabalenka did not withdraw from the Miami Open as was initially expected with the Australian Open champion seen in practice just the day after. It was duly noted though that after the passing of her father, she only took a week off with Sabalenka seemingly using tennis as her mechanism.
She was set to play her best friend, Paula Badosa on Thursday who was one of a few that were quizzed about the situation with Sabalenka only playing with the caveat that she doesn't have to do press. But the Miami Open led by tournament director, James Blake have made the decision to delay her start one day. Her half of the draw will all play their half of the draw tomorrow which means Sabalenka will have less of a gap between games, but is a nice touch by those involved amid her heartbreaking circumstances.
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- LOL.MrAndreeva10-05-2024
- My money is simply on fatigue. She's not the compact 'muscle-man'-type like perhaps Sabalenka, Swiatek or Sakkari. She's a player desperately longing for some kind of Djokovic rhythm. She should skip lots to win more majors. And the rumour I thought wasn't it Long Covid?MrAndreeva10-05-2024
- If there is some other reason, like exhaustion or self-preservation by not playing in consecutive tourneys, then simply say so. There's no shame in self preservation. Since the WTA obviously does not seriously consider a player's physical and mental stress as they schedule back-to-back majors, it's okay to adhere to such a healthy agenda and admit it. The illness thing is kind of suspect at this point; if only because of the timing pattern.
mandoist10-05-2024 - So, Elena Rybakina has again withdrawn due to illness (in Rome). Fans are concerned if this is truly a gastrointestinal issue. Why the secrecy? Is it truly an illness causing these withdrawals? It may be helpful -- even encouraging -- for others whom also suffer whatever illness is ongoing here to know what she is dealing with; and how. A form of Colitis? Ulcers? What's up? Timing has been last minute. It's a bummer all around.mandoist10-05-2024
- Tennis is ridiculous to maintain the tradition of silence. If they can play in open courts like Rome with all the noise from each court they surely could survive cheering, etc., during play (i.e., a singles match with only a 2 meter fence between them and a men's doubles -- and very loud noise from each side).mandoist10-05-2024
