Alexander Zverev, the German tennis player and world number two, has demonstrated that type 1 diabetes cannot prevent achieving great success by winning the US Open. During his matches in this tournament, he managed his blood sugar levels and clearly proved that with willpower and family support, one can overcome challenges.
Diagnosis of the Disease and Mother's Support
In an interview after the US Open 2026, Zverev revealed that he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of four. At that time, doctors told him and his family that his life and professional sports might be limited, but his mother firmly refused to let the disease determine his future. He described his mother as the most important and strongest person in his life and emphasized that the support of his family and team has played a vital role in his recent successes.
Changes in Sports Diabetes Management
Alireza Esteqamati, president of the Gabrik Diabetes Association of Iran, discussed the capabilities of athletes with diabetes and the requirements for their presence in competitive arenas. He pointed to fundamental changes in the management of diabetes in professional sports and stated: "Today, with the help of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) tools, athletes can check their blood sugar every 5 minutes, allowing them to take necessary actions before reaching a critical state."
Esteqamati emphasized that the sports successes of individuals with diabetes require precise planning and a professional team. This team should include specialized doctors, coaches familiar with the specific conditions of diabetic athletes, and nutritionists to effectively meet the needs of these athletes.
He also stressed that having diabetes does not conflict with professional sports and even competing at high levels, and with proper facilities and special care, diabetic athletes can be in peak condition and achieve great honors.
Finally, Esteqamati pointed to the athletes' will to precisely control their blood sugar and adhere to the specialized medical team's guidelines as the key to success. This shows that with effort and appropriate support, one can overcome life's challenges and reach the peaks of success.
