Paula Badosa says playing best friend Aryna Sabalenka will be “uncomfortable” this week, following the death of Sabalenka’s former boyfriend.

Konstantin Koltsov, a former ice hockey player, died at the age of 42 in Miami on Monday in what police have described as an “apparent suicide”.

World number two Sabalenka is still set to play in the Miami Open this week and will meet Badosa in the second round.

“It’s a very tough situation,” the Spaniard said.

“Yesterday I spoke with her. This morning the same.

“I know the entire situation, what is happening.

“That for me is a little bit shocking also to go through that because at the end she’s my best friend and I don’t want her to suffer. It’s a very tough situation.”