Officially confirmed: Alexander Zverev has diabetes

[Enceladus]

Link:

Tennis: Zverev macht Diabetes-Erkrankung öffentlich und gründet Stiftung

Beim Tennis-Olympiasieger aus Hamburg war bereits im Alter von vier Jahren die Diagnose Diabetes Typ 1 gestellt worden.

www.sportschau.de

Translation from German (thanks to Google translate):

Tennis Olympic champion Alexander Zverev has made a long-standing diabetes disease public. Already at the age of four, the Hamburger had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes." The disease has accompanied me throughout my life. As a young boy, I didn't think much about it, later more and more. I want to show that you can make it very far with this disease," Zverev said on Saturday and at the same time announced the establishment of his foundation "Alexander Zverev Foundation - surcharge against diabetes".
He is supported by his brother Mischa and his parents.

"Until now, not many people knew I had diabetes. I was always afraid that my opponents would feel stronger against me if they knew about my illness.
It's different today, and I'm not worried about that anymore."
— Alexander Zverev


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," said Zverev. The foundation will primarily support children suffering from diabetes (type 1). Above all, life-saving insulin and other essential medicines are provided, especially in Third World countries. "I am in the privileged position of living a life that I have always wanted to lead. I always wanted to play tennis, travel to tournaments around the globe and be one of the best tennis players in the world. I owe the fact that I succeeded in this above all to my parents and my brother, who have always supported me unconditionally on my way there and still do so today."
said the 25-year-old, who is currently working on his comeback after his serious ligament injury in rehab.

"Now, many years later and also with the successes behind me, I feel comfortable and safe enough to go public with this initiative."
— Alexander Zverev

He is aware that not all children are so lucky and "therefore it is very important to me to give something back and to help other affected people on their way". Diabetes (diabetes) is a metabolic disease, the body can produce little or no insulin. Type 1, as with Zverev, is not yet curable, so that those affected have to inject insulin all their lives.

I suspected he had diabetes. It is a sad and big complication for the practice of professional sports. Zverev is lucky to have made it this high despite this handicap.

 

[tex123]

An open secret.

 

[Rattie]

He’s doing fine considering how difficult it can be to manage. Sir Steve Redgrave won his fifth Olympic gold while living with diabetes so it can be done.

 

[Kralingen]

This explains a lot of his Bo5 failures compared to his Bo3 results. Hard to sustain intensity and physical performance for 4 hours compared to 2 hours.

That being said, I haven’t heard of diabetes preventing people from having a functional second serve…

 

[aldeayeah]

Yeah, the cat was out of the bag when he was seen using a glucose monitor in a changeover (a couple years ago I think?)

i remember some people thought it was phone coaching under the ump's nose lol

 

[Nostradamus]

Link:

Tennis: Zverev macht Diabetes-Erkrankung öffentlich und gründet Stiftung

Beim Tennis-Olympiasieger aus Hamburg war bereits im Alter von vier Jahren die Diagnose Diabetes Typ 1 gestellt worden.

www.sportschau.de

Translation from German (thanks to Google translate):


I suspected he had diabetes. It is a sad and big complication for the practice of professional sports. Zverev is lucky to have made it this high despite this handicap.

No wonder he got so tired in that US open final against Thiem

 

[Legend of Borg]

Makes his achievements more impressive in hindsight.

Also raises the question how good he would've been without this disease.

 

[spottishwood]

Also raises the question how good he would've been without this disease.

Still won't have a working second serve LOL

 

[The Blond Blur]

This explains a lot of his Bo5 failures compared to his Bo3 results. Hard to sustain intensity and physical performance for 4 hours compared to 2 hours.

That being said, I haven’t heard of diabetes preventing people from having a functional second serve…

It does if it’s type 2 diabetes

 

[Kralingen]

Makes his achievements more impressive in hindsight.

Also raises the question how good he would've been without this disease.

PETE won 14 with Thalassemia. To some extent you either got it or ya don’t.

On the other hand as the more established tennis experts on here will tell you, it’s tougher to have mental strength when you don’t trust your body and feel like you’re at risk of falling apart physically. So perhaps a bit of sympathy is necessary.

 

[Terenigma]

Suddenly flips around what he's achieved as incredibly impressive and not so much an underachiever. I don't personally know how debilitating it is physically given he has a large team that can take care of him with most of it outside of court but I'm sure it's not easy. Like others say though, he has been seen with certain stuff in the past and it was all but implied but the official statement should give him some sympathy at the very least.

 

[dr325i]

Federer played for 3 years with mono, Rafa was healthy in 6 out of 1400 matches plus still has not figured out the thong sizing, Novak played 1/2 the career getting poisoned with bad carbs and they managed a few trophies…

 

[Biotic]

PETE won 14 with Thalassemia. To some extent you either got it or ya don’t.

*thalassemia minor

 

[Deleted member 629564]

The best diabetic in the world.
Moral winner of both 2020 USO and 2022 RG.

 

[Deleted member 629564]

That being said, I haven’t heard of diabetes preventing people from having a functional second serve…

You are so cruel.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

This explains a lot of his Bo5 failures compared to his Bo3 results. Hard to sustain intensity and physical performance for 4 hours compared to 2 hours.

That being said, I haven’t heard of diabetes preventing people from having a functional second serve…

Subtle

 

[helterskelter]

Makes his achievements more impressive in hindsight.

Also raises the question how good he would've been without this disease.

Whatever one makes of him as a person and a choker and a failed talent, he is clearly more talented than any other player born in the 1990s. He’s the only one who has the core game that could have developed into that of an all-time great. Raonic, Medvedev, and Tsitsipas are miles off. (Nishikori - born a few days before the end of 1989 - is, too.) Dimitrov and Thiem closer but not quite there.

 

[helterskelter]

This explains a lot of his Bo5 failures compared to his Bo3 results. Hard to sustain intensity and physical performance for 4 hours compared to 2 hours.

That being said, I haven’t heard of diabetes preventing people from having a functional second serve…

Yips the result of feeling he was underperforming? That the result of failing to manage blood sugar levels in long matches? There may be a link, then, though it is hardly a causal connection.

 

[taylor15]

Rafa was healthy in 6 out of 1400 matches plus still has not figured out the thong sizing,

The kids always ask “can’t he afford better underwear”

 

[Tennfan123]

Sorry to say this but his having diabetes won't make me a fan or give him any more credit than he deserves.
Not sure why this is in tennis news.

 

[jindra]

If you have a cross to bear, better use it as a crutch.

 

[Arak]

Yeah, the cat was out of the bag when he was seen using a glucose monitor in a changeover (a couple years ago I think?)

i remember some people thought it was phone coaching under the ump's nose lol

Anyone who follows his news, as I do, knows he has diabetes. The phone incident accusations came from the rotten Rothenberg, who it turned out was fully aware that it was a sugar monitor.

 

[Azure]

Federer played for 3 years with mono, Rafa was healthy in 6 out of 1400 matches plus still has not figured out the thong sizing, Novak played 1/2 the career getting poisoned with bad carbs and they managed a few trophies…

Its very different from having diabetes all your life from childhood. You are constantly thinking about your body just not having the energy to compete. It also means injuries won’t heal as fast as his peers’. Additionally mid-match he can’t have anything that might immediately spike his sugar levels. I think I sympathize a lot more with him now.

 

[Arak]

Its very different from having diabetes all your life from childhood. You are constantly thinking about your body just not having the energy to compete. It also means injuries won’t heal as fast as his peers’. Additionally mid-match he can’t have anything that might immediately spike his sugar levels. I think I sympathize a lot more with him now.

Type I diabetes is a nightmare. It’s almost unthinkable that anyone with this affliction can become no.2 player in the world.

 

[Azure]

Sorry to say this but his having diabetes won't make me a fan or give him any more credit than he deserves.
Not sure why this is in tennis news.

I think its important to have this revelation for so many reasons-

- Awareness that a debilitating disease need not necessarily stop someone from competing a highly competitive sport

- Educating people that rotten tennis commentary (like Rotten-burg’s) should never be trusted in full

- That the reason for his endurance issues in 5 set matches doesn’t stem from the idiotic monicker - ‘choker’

- Motivates children and young adults to keep themselves fit and healthy…

No one is asking you to be a fan but don’t dismiss the value of certain points either

 

[PURETENNISsense]

Link:

Tennis: Zverev macht Diabetes-Erkrankung öffentlich und gründet Stiftung

Beim Tennis-Olympiasieger aus Hamburg war bereits im Alter von vier Jahren die Diagnose Diabetes Typ 1 gestellt worden.

www.sportschau.de

Translation from German (thanks to Google translate):


I suspected he had diabetes. It is a sad and big complication for the practice of professional sports. Zverev is lucky to have made it this high despite this handicap.

Carb loading much?


I'd be curious how a top tennis player would do on a lower carb and high fat diet.... very curious if the level would stay or even increase....

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Come support me people. I'm a diabetic.

 

[Herald]

PETE won 14 with Thalassemia. To some extent you either got it or ya don’t.

On the other hand as the more established tennis experts on here will tell you, it’s tougher to have mental strength when you don’t trust your body and feel like you’re at risk of falling apart physically. So perhaps a bit of sympathy is necessary.

I'm sorry, did you just compare Zverev with SAMPRAS?

 

[dr325i]

The kids always ask “can’t he afford better underwear”

Love the guy and his fighting spirit but cannot stand to watch his antics more than 3 service games. Disgusting and sooo annoying to watch…

 

[dr325i]

Its very different from having diabetes all your life from childhood. You are constantly thinking about your body just not having the energy to compete. It also means injuries won’t heal as fast as his peers’. Additionally mid-match he can’t have anything that might immediately spike his sugar levels. I think I sympathize a lot more with him now.

I am with you. I had no idea he dealt with this…
However, it is more manageable than chronic injuries, mental ticks and incurable 3-4 year long Mono

 

[Azure]

I am with you. I had no idea he dealt with this…
However, it is more manageable than chronic injuries, mental ticks and incurable 3-4 year long Mono

Ah I see now

 

[Kralingen]

I'm sorry, did you just compare Zverev with SAMPRAS?

the alpha and the omega of 2nd serve and mental strength

 

[ADuck]

Nevermind*

 

[Sudacafan]

You are so cruel.

You are saying that because you have a three handed backhand?

 

[Sudacafan]

I suspected he had diabetes.

What made you think about that?
Nobody here imagined that.

 

[AO13]

As a human being, even if I don't respect the character of Alexander Zverev since we learned what he did to his girlfriend, I have to sympathize with him after this.

I can't imagine what is he going through playing on these conditions his whole life.

He is a warrior and he will win a couple of slams for sure.

 

[abmk]

oh, did not know he had diabetes. Bad luck for Zverev.

 

[Antonio Puente]

TTMR is feeling bad about right now.

 

[martinezownsclay]

That is sad to hear, and I don't even like the guy. That is a horrible thing to live with, particularly being a pro athlete.

 

[Herald]

the alpha and the omega of 2nd serve and mental strength

...to...to be continued.

 

[Karma Tennis]

PETE won 14 with Thalassemia. To some extent you either got it or ya don’t.

Sampras has the Thalassemia Trait (also referred to as Thalassemia Minor).

What is Thalassemia? | CDC

Thalassemia is an inherited (i.e., passed from parents to children through genes) blood disorder.

www.cdc.gov

It's likely that Pete did not suffer any adverse effects from carrying the trait. So it probably had virtually no impact on his ability to play tennis. Certainly nowhere near as difficult as having Type 1 Diabetes.

 

[MeatTornado]

Type 1 diabetes blows chunks

 

[BumElbow]

J.C. Aragone is also diabetic. He wears a monitor when he plays. If Sasha does, it has not been reported.

I was unaware of his diabetes. It makes his ability to compete consistently at such a high level quite amazing.

 

[Enceladus]

What made you think about that?
Nobody here imagined that.

When I saw these two photos:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1194804115601330176

 

[BeatlesFan]

This explains a lot of his Bo5 failures compared to his Bo3 results.

He's a choker regardless of his health issues. And that's no disparagement for diabetics, my Dad died from it. Type I Diabetes is different than II, however and Zverev has type I.

 

[UnderratedSlam]

As usual, many "experts" here already know how diabetes effects a tennis pro career.

 

[Bumbaliceps]

Finally ! I really don't understand why he was pretending to hide it when it was already known by a lot of people. Basically there was no secret but he kept it nonetheless

 

[TheNachoMan]

Nadal still has it worse.

 

[Ducky Lucky]

He’s doing fine considering how difficult it can be to manage. Sir Steve Redgrave won his fifth Olympic gold while living with diabetes so it can be done.

Sir Steve had 3 other people paddling that canoe with him.

 

[Rattie]

Sir Steve had 3 other people paddling that canoe with him.

Not really relevant. You can’t carry a weak link in rowing and win gold and Steve was pretty ancient by Olympic standards at the time. Steve was fortunate in that his wife is a doctor. His diabetes appeared when he was 35 so not the same as Sasha but essentially it’s equally tough to manage when you are competing as an elite athlete.
I had no idea Zverev had this condition. Makes me think he was even less likely to cope physically had his SF against Rafa in RG2022 gone the distance. Those conditions were brutal.