Living with diabetes: Tennis star Alexander Zverev shares his personal experience
Tennis star Alexander Zverev has shared how advances in technology have made it easier for him to manage Type 1 diabetes while competing at the highest level of the sport.
Diabetes continues to affect many lives globally.
According to Type 1 Diabetes Index, in South Africa, 32,000 people are living with Type 1 Diabetes, and 1 in 91 families are impacted by it. Type 1 Diabetes is reportedly growing by 6.2% every year.
Tennis star Alexander Zverev, who recently faced Arthur Fery in the Wimbledon semi-finals, is also one of the people who have been sharing their journey with the autoimmune condition.
In a recent interview with the BBC, the star explained how he manages his Type 1 diabetes during matches. He revealed that although players are generally not allowed to use phones on court, he carries a second phone without a SIM card because it is linked to his glucose-monitoring system.
"I have two phones with me, actually. One is just for on-court, which doesn't even have a SIM card or anything like that. I basically have it throughout the entire game here, and that's why the umpires allow me to check the phone. So I don't have to poke my finger every changeover," he said.
Zverev added that technology has made living with diabetes much easier in recent years.
"Sometimes it doesn't find the signal quickly enough, and then I do have to poke my finger, but fortunately for me, I think diabetes has become easier over the past few years with technology," he added.
The tennis star explained that the device allows him to monitor his blood glucose levels throughout a match and inject insulin when necessary, helping him manage the condition without interrupting his performance.
According to the ATP, Zverev was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of four and began playing tennis a year later. Despite the diagnosis, he has gone on to become one of the world's top players.
In 2022, he launched the Alexander Zverev Foundation, which supports children living with Type 1 diabetes and promotes greater awareness of the condition.
Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition. While there is currently no cure, it can be effectively managed through insulin therapy, regular blood glucose monitoring, a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Common symptoms of Type 1 diabetes include:
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision
- Mood changes
Early diagnosis and proper treatment are essential to help people with the condition lead healthy, active lives.
Read more about South African celebrities who suffer from diabetes here.
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