Aryna Sabalenka holds hands with entrepreneur and Haas F1 team sponsor months after tragic death of her ex-boyfriend Konstantin Koltsov... as tennis star appears to go public on new relationship

Tennis champion Aryna Sabalenka put the tragic death of her sports star ex-boyfriend behind her after going public with her health food tycoon and Formula One-connected new partner.

The 26-year-old Grand Slam winner was all smiles as she held hands with Georgios Frangulis, the founder of superfood brand Oakberry and Haas F1 team sponsor, months after ice hockey star Konstantin Koltsov fell from a balcony in an apparent suicide.

The world No 2 shared a picture of herself with Frangulis and the rest of her team following defeat in the Italian Open final to Iga Swiatek. 

In her comments immediately after her straight sets loss by the Pole, Sabalenka thanked Frangulis, who had been in her box during her campaign in Rome, for his support before blowing him a kiss. 

The pair were then spotted at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on Sunday, hand-in-hand, enjoying the Italian sunshine and making themselves comfortable in the paddock of Haas - who Oakberry sponsor. 

The 26-year-old's delight comes only two months after tragedy struck when her ex-boyfriend died in an 'apparent suicide' in Miami. 

Koltsov fell from the balcony of a five-star hotel in Miami. The 42-year-old, who shared three children with ex-wife Julija Mikhailova, was initially believed to have joined Sabalenka in the city as she prepared for the Miami Open.

Sabalenka later revealed their relationship had already come to an end when commenting on the 'unthinkable tragedy' of his death.

The Australian Open champion beat her best friend Paula Badosa in straight sets at the Miami Open amid the tragedy, but lost to Ukraine's Anhelina Kalinina in the next round.

She opted out of press conferences at the tournament following Koltsov's death, with a message on social media stating her 'heart is broken' despite no longer being a couple.

She said: 'I want to take a moment to say thank you to all my fans for your outpouring love and support during this difficult time,' Sabalenka wrote.

'Your kind words mean so much and I carry them with me every day.

'I am so grateful for you all.'

Sabalenka and Koltsov are thought to have dated for three years, after first being linked in June 2021.

The former hockey player and assistant coach was not only a frequently guest in her player's box on tour, but a devoted boyfriend on social media, where he often shared messages of love and support.

Despite losing her second final in a month to Swiatek on Saturday, Sabalenka looked in high spirits as she appeared to make her relationship with the 35-year-old public over the weekend. 

Their dinner date on Saturday took place at Taverna Trilussa, a popular spot for tennis players. 

'Last dinner in the best place,' the two-time Grand Slam winner wrote in an Instagram post which tagged Frangulis and her team. 

In addition to the Haas F1 team, Frangulis' Oakberry - based in his native Brazil - has partnered with Sabalenka, who has since featured in social media posts promoting the brand. 

Her partnership with the company was announced in January with a series of playful images of the tennis star enjoying one of Oakberry's products. 

Many tennis fans will be thrilled to see the Belarusian loved up, having endured heartache earlier this year following the passing of her ex. 

Sabalenka was first linked with Koltsov in June 2021, with the Australian Open champion frequently posting photos of them together on her Instagram account. 

Koltsov is believed to have three sons named Daniel, Alexander and Stefan, and previously played hockey for the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins.

In March, Mikhailova told media in Belarus that he was 'very likely drunk' when he fell from the hotel balcony.

The Miami-Dade Police Department has taken over the investigation into the suspected suicide, but in an interview with media in her native Belarus, Mikhailova gave her view on what might have happened.

She has claimed that her ex-husband 'was very likely drunk' before the fatal fall, and while she said booze bottles were found in his hotel room, officers were unable to locate a suicide note. She also says his recent behaviour indicated, in her view, that he was not preparing to take his own life.

Bal Harbour Police and Fire Rescue had been dispatched to the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort in reference to a man who fell from a balcony at 12.39am, according to investigators.

The tragedy came not long after Sabalenka lost her father under similarly upsetting circumstances.

The player's late father Sergey - who was also a former professional ice hockey player - died suddenly in 2019 at the age of just 43.

Sabalenka will be hoping to secure her third Grand Slam title at the French Open which gets underway this week.