The world number one – who faces Nick Kyrgios in the latest Battle of the Sexes – has faced recent heartbreak away from the court
World number one Aryna Sabalenka is preparing to take on Nick Kyrgios in tennis’ latest ‘Battle of the Sexes’ on Sunday.
More than 50 years after Billie Jean King’s trailblazing victory over Bobby Riggs, the Belarusian star will face the often controversial Kyrgios in a three-set exhibition match in Dubai. The clash has been widely criticised, with many arguing that it will belittle the women’s game if Sabalenka loses and others questioning what she has to gain from the contest, with Kyrgios only playing five competitive games this year and currently ranked 672nd in the world.
However, the 27-year-old has defended her participation and is hoping to round off another impressive year with a victory. In 2025, she reached three of the four Grand Slam finals and won her fourth major title at the US Open in September, having also won there last year.
Sabalenka also won back-to-back singles titles at the Australian Open in 2023 and 2024, having previously won doubles titles there and at the US Open. In addition, she has reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon on three occasions and has a total of 21 WTA Tour-level singles titles to her name.
But her recent success on the court has come amid heartbreak away from it, following the tragic death of her former boyfriend in March last year.
Professional ice hockey player Konstantin Koltsov, who began publicly dating Sabalenka in June 2021 before later separating, died at the age of 42 following an incident at a hotel in Miami.
While it was disputed by his ex-wife, who claimed it was likely a tragic accident, a police statement said Koltsov’s death was an apparent suicide, with the former Pittsburgh Penguins star falling from a balcony.
“At approximately 12.39am, Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue were dispatched to the St Regis Bal Harbour Resort in reference to a male that jumped from a balcony,” said a police spokesperson at the time.
“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.”
In the wake of her former partner’s death, Sabalenka said it was an “unthinkable tragedy,” adding that her “heart was broken”.
In a statement issued on Instagram, she wrote: “Konstantin’s death is an unthinkable tragedy, and while we were no longer together, my heart is broken. Please respect my privacy and his family’s privacy during this difficult time.”
The following month, Sabalenka was pictured with Greek-Brazilian entrepeneur Georgios Frangulis and the pair went official with their relationship in May last year.
Frangulis, who founded the popular acai superfood brand Oakberry, has since been a regular fixture in the Belarusian’s player’s box at matches, while the couple often post loved-up pictures of themselves on social media.
The 37-year-old enterpreneur is thought to have a net worth in the region of around £80 million, around five times Sabalenka’s estimated net worth, which is believed to be around £16 million.
However, the tennis ace is a record breaker when it comes to prize money, banking the highest ever amount in a single WTA season by taking home over £11 million in 2025 alone. Having earned over £35 million in her career so far, she is also second on the all-time WTA list, with only Serena Williams ahead of her.
