Alexander Zverev took insulin injection on court at French Open

Alexander Zverev won his first Grand-Slam-Title at the French Open, battling both his opponent and a severe medical challenge during the final match in Paris. As Eurosport commentator Matthias Stach reported during the broadcast, the German tennis player needed to administer an insulin injection on the court.

The Critical Moments in Paris

The physical toll on the 29-year-old became unmistakable toward the end of the fourth set, when television cameras captured heavy dehydration as salt crystals formed visibly on his playing shirt. For any athlete, extreme fluid loss affects stamina and endurance, but for a competitor managing type-1 diabetes, the stakes are significantly higher. “Bei einer Dehydrierung lässt die Konzentration bei einem Typ-1-Diabetiker erwiesenermaßen deutlich stärker nach,” Stach noted during the live coverage, citing information he received from an unnamed medical professional.

Managing Type-1 Diabetes Under Grand Slam Pressure

Television footage caught Zverev applying his insulin injection between two ball changes near the end of the third set. Diagnosed in childhood, Zverev has spoken openly about his condition since 2022 to break stigmas and show that elite athletic success is possible while managing chronic illness. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is essential for avoiding sudden drops in performance. “Dann fühlt man sich langsamer auf dem Platz. Dann hat man das Gefühl, dass die Reaktionszeit nicht so da ist, wie bei einem normalen Zuckerwert,” Zverev explained to ZDF in 2022, describing how out-of-range glucose levels directly impact his on-court reactions and movement speed.

Tennis regulations permit Zverev to use medical supplies

Professional tennis regulations permit Zverev to carry and administer his necessary medical supplies on court. When his blood glucose remains within a targeted window, the condition rarely disrupts his matches. “Wenn ich den Zucker in einem gewissen Bereich halte, dann ist es kein Problem. Und das ist bei 90 Prozent der Spiele so,” Zverev stated regarding his routine management. His mother, Irina Zverev, reflected on the broader personal impact in a 2025 interview with Medtronic Diabetes, noting that managing the condition fostered a high degree of personal discipline from an early age—a sentiment echoed by the player himself regarding how quickly chronic illness forces an athlete to mature.

How diabetes affects Alexander Zverev

When was Alexander Zverev diagnosed with type-1 diabetes?

Zverev has lived with type-1 diabetes since childhood, though he chose to begin speaking publicly about his condition and his management strategies in 2022.

How does diabetes affect tennis performance?

Without proper blood sugar control, athletes with type-1 diabetes can experience slowed reaction times, fatigue, and reduced concentration on the court, particularly under conditions of severe dehydration.

What did Alexander Zverev’s mother say about his condition?

In 2025, Irina Zverev told Medtronic Diabetes that managing the illness instilled exceptional discipline in her son, which she views as a contributing factor to his professional success.

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