From Taking Insulin to Taking the Trophy
When Alexander Zverev won the French Open, headlines focused on the trophy.
For many people living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), a different moment stood out.
During the tournament, Zverev was photographed checking his glucose levels and administering insulin courtside, something millions of people with T1D do every day. The image quickly circulated online, offering a rare glimpse into the reality of managing T1D at the highest level of professional sports.
Living with T1D at the Highest Level of Professional Tennis
Diagnosed with T1D at age four, Zverev has spent nearly his entire life balancing elite athletics with the demands of a chronic autoimmune disease. Long before he became a Grand Slam champion, he was learning how to monitor blood glucose, calculate insulin doses, and adapt to the countless variables that come with life with T1D.
For years, however, he kept his diagnosis private. He has shared that he worried people would see diabetes as a weakness or assume it would prevent him from reaching the highest level of professional tennis. As a child, he was told there would be limits to what he could achieve because of his condition. Instead, he became an Olympic gold medalist, a Grand Slam champion, and one of the most successful tennis players in the world.
How Athletes Manage Blood Glucose During Competition
Tennis is one of the most physically demanding sports in the world! Matches can last for hours, often in extreme heat, requiring athletes to maintain focus, endurance, and precision from the first point to the last. Every sprint, serve, and changeover can affect blood glucose levels. A low blood sugar can impact reaction time, balance and coordination, critical thinking and concentration. A high blood sugar can affect energy levels, eye sight, hydration, and performance. Managing these variables is a critical part of every match.
Raising Awareness Through the Alexander Zverev Foundation
In 2022, Zverev decided to publicly share his diagnosis and launched the Alexander Zverev Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting children living with T1D. Through the foundation, he has worked to provide insulin, diabetes supplies, and resources to children and families around the world while encouraging young people with T1D to pursue their goals without fear. His decision to speak openly about diabetes has helped bring greater visibility to a condition that is often misunderstood.
A Reminder That Insulin Is Lifesaving, Not Optional
That misunderstanding became headline news during the 2023 French Open when Zverev revealed that a tournament official questioned his decision to inject insulin on court because it looked “weird.” The comment sparked criticism from diabetes organizations and advocates worldwide.
Zverev later explained the reality of the situation clearly: “If I don’t do it, my life will be in danger.”
The moment became a powerful reminder of how much education is still needed around T1D. Insulin is not a performance enhancer. It is not optional. It is not something people with T1D can simply choose to delay until later. Insulin is lifesaving medicine. Without it, people with T1D cannot survive.
Visibility and Representation Matter for the T1D Community
The images from this year’s tournament feel so significant as millions of viewers watched one of the best tennis players in the world openly manage his diabetes in the middle of competition. There was no attempt to hide it. No apology. No explanation needed! Just an athlete taking the medication his body requires.
Representation creates understanding. Education reduces stigma.
Visibility reminds people that diabetes management belongs everywhere including classrooms, workplaces, airplanes, boardrooms, and championship courts.
Advancing T1D Research for a Better Future
Alexander Zverev’s French Open victory will be remembered as a remarkable athletic achievement. His willingness to openly manage his diabetes on one of the biggest stages in sports may leave an even greater legacy. It shows the world what people with T1D have always known: diabetes may demand constant attention, but it does not determine a person’s potential.
Turn Inspiration into Action
At Diabetes Research Connection, stories like Zverev’s remind us why research matters. Every advancement in diabetes technology, treatment, and care helps reduce the burden of living with T1D and creates more opportunities for people to pursue their goals without limitation.
– Stay informed. Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on funded researchers, scientific advances, and upcoming opportunities to get involved.
– Join our community. Attend an upcoming event or volunteer to help advance DRC’s mission.
– Donate to help fund innovative research and accelerate progress toward better treatments and a cure for those living with T1D.
