Aryna SABALENKA given extra day in nice touch by Miami Open organisers after reported suicide of boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov

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.

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.