Tennis Olympic champion Alexander Zverev has made his longstanding diabetes public. At the age of four, the German was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
“As a little boy I didn’t give it much thought, later more and more. I want to show that you can make it a long way with this disease,” said Zverev on Saturday.
At the same time he announced the establishment of his foundation “Alexander Zverev Foundation – Aufschlag gegen Diabetes”. “Now, many years later and also with the success behind me, I feel comfortable and confident enough to go public with this initiative,” said the second in the world rankings. He wants to be a role model for people who are already ill, but also a support for the children “who can still avoid getting diabetes with an active life and the right prevention”.
Foundation supports children and young people
In addition to providing insulin and other essential medicines, his foundation finances projects for affected children and young people. “I’m in the privileged situation of leading a life that I always wanted to lead,” said Zverev, thanking his parents and brother for their support. The 25-year-old suffered a serious ligament injury in the French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal and is currently working on his comeback in rehab.
For Zverev it is a “great concern to give something back and to help other affected people on their way”. Diabetes is a metabolic disease, which means that the body can hardly or no longer produce any insulin. Type 1, as with Zverev, has not yet been cured, so those affected have to inject insulin for the rest of their lives.
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(APA)/Image: Imago