Tennis Olympic champion Alexander Zverev can also give himself insulin injections on the court in the upcoming matches at the French Open. The tournament organizers confirmed this on Tuesday.
In his round of 16 match, Zverev was confused about the procedure. The type 1 diabetic wanted to give himself an insulin injection on Monday evening, but initially didn’t know exactly how to proceed. “I told the referee that there had to be a clear structure. Then it’s not a problem at all.”, said Zverev at Eurosport. Now his wish has been granted. The organizers also stated that he would have been allowed to do this on Monday evening.
“I’ve been diabetic since I was three and a half years old – that’s nothing new, I’ve been doing it my whole life”Zverev had said. “That means that certain things that are necessary for my life are not allowed. If I don’t inject myself, my life is in danger.”
“Looks like I’m doping”
The 26-year-old reported that his procedure occasionally led to strange comments from officials. “They say it looks like I’m doping”, he said. Zverev made his type 1 diabetes disease public in 2022 and a foundation with the name “Alexander Zverev Foundation” founded.
He regularly gives himself insulin injections during his games. At the French Open he reached the quarter-finals on Monday evening and will face Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Wednesday as a big favorite.