Aryna Sabalenka defends ugly on court outbursts while opening up about Konstantin Koltsov heartbreak and grief (Image via Getty)Aryna Sabalenka is known for her power on the tennis court, but in a new interview with Vogue, the world No. 1 also showed a very personal side. The Belarusian tennis star spoke honestly about her emotional outbursts during matches and the pain she still carries after the death of her former boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov. Sabalenka said she no longer feels ashamed of showing emotion during games because it helps her stay focused and release pressure. The 28-year-old also opened up about how difficult it was to process Koltsov’s death in March 2024 and how returning to tennis became her way of coping with grief. Her emotional interview has once again brought attention to the pressure athletes face away from the spotlight.Aryna Sabalenka explains emotional outbursts and remembers Konstantin Koltsov and her father SergeyAryna Sabalenka admitted that controlling her emotions was a big challenge when she first started playing professional tennis. Speaking to Vogue, she said there were times when she completely lost control during matches even when she was leading. Sabalenka explained that she used to become angry with herself for reacting emotionally, but now she sees those moments differently.She said letting her emotions out during matches helps her reset mentally and continue competing at the highest level. Sabalenka added that players at the top level always expect themselves to win, especially after becoming Grand Slam champions. According to her, that pressure can build up quickly during matches, and sometimes yelling or throwing a racket becomes a release. She admitted those moments may not look good publicly, but she feels they are part of what keeps her mentally locked into matches.Sabalenka has faced criticism in recent years for several on-court incidents. During the 2024 Wuhan Open, she threw a racket toward a ball kid in frustration. Earlier this year at the Miami Open final, cameras also caught her shouting at a fan during the match. Despite the criticism, Sabalenka made it clear that she does not believe athletes should hide every emotion.The interview also became emotional when Sabalenka spoke about Konstantin Koltsov, the former hockey player who died in Miami in March 2024. Police said Koltsov died after falling from a hotel balcony in what was reported as an apparent suicide. Sabalenka revealed that police officers informed her about his death while she was practicing ahead of the Miami Open. She said she struggled to accept the news and continued playing tennis because working helped her deal with the pain.Sabalenka also reflected on losing her father, Sergey, in 2019 after he became ill with meningitis. She shared that emotional videos about fathers and daughters still make her cry because she often imagines how proud her father would be watching her success today. Sabalenka, who is now engaged to Georgios Frangulis, said grief never fully disappears and everyone handles it differently.