For years, eagle-eyed tennis fans noticed Alexander Zverev occasionally reaching into his kit bag during changeovers. Some speculated about secret coaching signals, others about performance-enhancing tactics. But the reality was far more personal and profound: the German tennis star was discreetly managing a lifelong condition, fighting an invisible opponent as formidable as any on the court.
So, does Alexander Zverev have diabetes? The answer is an unequivocal yes. The world No. 3 and Olympic gold medalist was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition where the pancreas produces little to no insulin. He lived with the diagnosis for two decades before publicly revealing it in August 2022, a decision that coincided with the launch of his foundation to support others battling the same disease.
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A Diagnosis Kept Private
Alexander Zverev’s journey with diabetes began long before he became a household name. He was diagnosed at just three or four years old. His parents would wake him three times each night to administer insulin injections. His mother, Irina, has described the moment of diagnosis as a “painful” shock, realizing that his condition was not a temporary illness but a permanent reality.
Alexander Zverev had to give himself an insulin shot during the French Open Final.
Zverev is Type 1 diabetic. pic.twitter.com/6mPnrBM8xC
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 7, 2026
For much of his career, Zverev intentionally kept this part of his life private. He feared being pitied or having his losses excused by his illness. “I wanted to show that you can go a long way with this disease,” he said when he finally went public. In 2022, feeling comfortable and confident after his Olympic gold and two ATP Finals titles, he decided to become a role model. He launched the Alexander Zverev Foundation to help provide insulin, medical care, and a support network for children with diabetes in underprivileged countries.
Managing the ‘Second Match’
Living with Type 1 diabetes at the elite level of sport requires near-constant vigilance. Alexander Zverev has famously described this experience as playing “two games at once”: one tennis match for the spectators, and another, silent one inside his body to manage his blood sugar. “If I don’t manage my diabetes properly, I can’t compete at the level I expect,” he has explained.
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To stay ahead, Zverev has developed a meticulous routine. He wears a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to track his levels and uses an insulin pen stored in his tennis bag for injections, operating under a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). What looks like a routine sip of water is often a calculated decision—timing a carbohydrate gel or an insulin dose to maintain his perfect performance “Goldilocks zone”. This process hasn’t always been smooth; at the 2023 French Open, officials initially questioned his on-court injection, sparking a controversy that led to clearer rules for athletes managing diabetes.
Despite the immense daily pressure, Alexander Zverev remains defiant. He was once told by doctors that professional sports would be an “impossible thing” for a diabetic. By pushing through, achieving a career-high ranking of No. 2, and using his platform to fight for awareness and access, he has proven them spectacularly wrong.
