Alexander Zverev reveals he was once told he would never make it in tennis with diabetes. Zverev, 25, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a very young age. Still, Zverev accomplished his dream of becoming a tennis pro. Not only that Zverev became a tennis pro, he is now one of the best players in the men’s game.
Zverev has won at every level except the Grand Slam level and he has also been ranked as high as No 2 in the world. “I was always told that I would never make it with diabetes. Different doctors, different specialists said ‘competitive athlete with diabetes? That’s impossible.’
And then at some point I thought to myself, I’m second in the world, I am Olympic champion, I can help others with this issue! I can encourage others. I can be the messenger for the topic diabetes,” Zverev said, as quoted on Sportskeeda.
Zverev launched a foundation
On the 6th of August, Zverev announced the launch of the Alexander Zverev Foundation. Zverev, who knows perfectly how it feels to be a diabetic kids, has the goal of helping other kids who are in a similar position.
“The 6th of August 2022 is a very special day for my family and I. 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.
Our mission is to provide insulin and life saving medicine to children in developing countries and those in need. And as a type 1 diabetic myself, I want to encourage children with diabetes to never give up on their dreams no matter what others might say to you.
The only limit is the one you set yourself,” Zverev wrote on Instagram in August. Meanwhile, Zverev is preparing for the Diriyah Tennis Cup, which is taking place between 08-10 December in Saudi Arabia.
