Phoenix 24
The US Open champion transformed a private medical struggle into a global message.
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has praised Alexander Zverev after the German tennis player won the US Open while managing type 1 diabetes. Tedros thanked him for demonstrating that the condition does not have to restrict personal ambition and for using his international visibility to inspire others.
Zverev defeated American Ben Shelton in four sets to capture his first US Open championship and the second Grand Slam title of his career. During the final, he monitored his glucose levels and administered insulin, making visible a medical routine that normally unfolds beyond public attention.
The 29-year-old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of four. Doctors initially warned his family that the condition could severely limit his life and sporting future. Zverev credited his mother, Irina, with rejecting that prognosis and encouraging him to pursue tennis without allowing the diagnosis to define his possibilities.
Managing the condition during elite competition requires constant attention. Zverev uses a continuous glucose sensor connected to a mobile phone, which he is permitted to consult during matches under a medical exemption. He must balance insulin, food intake, physical exertion and emotional stress while competing in contests that can last several hours.
The risks remain significant despite modern technology. During the Halle tournament, an incorrect sensor reading led Zverev to administer too much insulin. He was subsequently forced to consume large quantities of sugar during his match to stabilize his glucose levels. The incident illustrated that medical devices can expand an athlete’s freedom while still demanding careful supervision and contingency planning.
Zverev publicly disclosed his condition in 2022 and created the Alexander Zverev Foundation with his family. The organization supports children and young adults living with diabetes, finances access to insulin and promotes active lifestyles. His openness has also challenged assumptions that chronic illness is incompatible with elite athletic performance.
Tedros used Zverev’s achievement to urge governments to invest in diabetes prevention, early diagnosis, treatment and long-term care. Although type 1 diabetes cannot currently be prevented, reliable access to insulin, monitoring technology and professional care can determine whether patients merely survive or participate fully in education, work and sport.
A diagnosis may shape a life without deciding its limits.