Germany’s Alexander Zverev has spoken publicly for the first time about living with diabetes after launching an initiative to support those affected by the condition.
The world No.2 confirmed that he has Type 1 Diabetes and has been living with the condition since he was a child. It is a condition that causes the level of glucose (sugar) in a person’s blood to become too high and happens when the body cannot produce enough of a hormone called insulin, which controls blood glucose. Unlike Type 2 Diabetes, it is not linked to age or being overweight.
Speaking to German media over the weekend, Zverev said he has been reluctant to speak publicly about his illness out of fear that his opponents could use it as a competitive advantage against him. He was first diagnosed at the age of four.
“Until now, not many people knew that I had diabetes. I was always afraid that my opponents would feel stronger against me if they knew about my illness,” Tennisnet.com quoted Zverev as saying.
“Today it’s different and (I have) no worries anymore. I feel comfortable and safe enough to go public with this initiative.”
The initiative Zverev is referring to is his foundation which went live this weekend. In a post published on Instagram, The Alexander Zverev Foundation aims to support children around the world living with diabetes and prevent others from getting the condition by promoting a healthy lifestyle.
“Today, the Alexander Zverev Foundation has officially come to life, supporting children with type 1 diabetes and helping people prevent type 2 diabetes by living a healthy and active life,” Zverev wrote. “Our mission is to provide insulin and life-saving medicine to children in developing countries and those in need.”
Zverev ends the post with a quote: “The only limit is the one you set yourself.”
The 25-year-old hasn’t played a match on the Tour since the semi-finals of the French Open in June after injuring his right ankle which required surgery. Currently continuing his rehabilitation, it is unclear as to when Zverev will be ready to return to competition. A week ago a spokesperson told Reuters that it was still up in the air if he would be able to play at next month’s US Open.
Zverev has won 19 Tour titles so far in his career and has earned more than $32M in prize money.
