​LONDON (AP) — In Sunday’s Wimbledon final, Alexander Zverev faces not only defending champion Jannik Sinner but also the daily realities of living with Type 1 diabetes. The 29-year-old German has to keep a careful watch on his glucose levels and, when necessary, deliver insulin during matches with an on-hand injector. Zverev, who recently captured the French Open and is chasing consecutive Grand Slam titles, uses an insulin pen to administer a dose to the top of his thigh during changeovers on court.
Here is more about Zverev and his condition. He revealed in 2022 that he has Type 1 diabetes, a diagnosis he received at age four, a secret he had kept for years. When an insulin shot was needed during a match, he would take care of it privately during bathroom breaks. His public disclosure came as he announced the launch of a foundation aimed at supporting children in particular. “If we as a foundation, and me just as a tennis player and somebody who has diabetes, can help even just a single kid or a single parent, I’ll be the happiest person in the world,” Zverev commented after an early Wimbledon victory. “There are many great athletes, many actors and musicians who have diabetes. It shows that with diabetes there shouldn’t be any limits.”
During a Wimbledon warmup event in Halle, Germany, Zverev explained that his glucose sensor gave an inaccurate reading during his semifinal against Taylor Fritz. The device indicated falsely high levels, causing him to inject too much insulin. Once he identified the issue, Zverev consumed 350 grams of sugar through glucose gels in the first hour of the match to bring his blood sugar back to a safe level. He described feeling “awful” and ultimately lost the match in three sets. “The company’s investigating it, looking into it,” he said at a pre-Wimbledon press conference, referring to the sensor maker. “I’ve been using it for 10-plus years. This is the first time ever it happened.” He added that sensors remain life-changing, noting, “Those things are still very, very useful for a diabetic, make the life of a diabetic much easier than without them. It was very unfortunate for me that it happened, but I think as a product, it still is very helpful for millions of diabetes patients.”
Zverev has clearance from Grand Slam tournaments, the All England Club confirmed, to use his phone during matches to monitor his glucose levels. The sensor transmits readings to his phone, sparing him from finger-prick blood tests; without the device, phones are not permitted on court.
Other athletes with Type 1 diabetes have made headlines and found success, including NHL Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke, who played his entire career with the condition, and current NHL winger Max Domi. Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, diagnosed in childhood, regularly checks his blood sugar during games. Former NFL quarterback Jay Cutler was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in his mid-20s, joining a growing list of prominent sports figures who compete at the highest levels while managing the disease.