Alexander Zverev makes diabetes public - and establishes a foundation
Alexander Zverev made diabetes public on Saturday. With his newly created "Alexander Zverev Foundation", Germany's number one wants to help those affected in the future.
by SID
last edit: Aug 06, 2022, 12:39 pm
Tennis star Alexander Zverev, who himself suffers from diabetes, has set up a foundation to support those affected by the metabolic disease. This was announced by the world number two on Saturday. The board of the "Alexander Zverev Foundation" based in Hamburg is Zverev's brother Mischa.
"I'm in the privileged situation of leading a life that I always wanted to lead. I always wanted to play tennis, travel to tournaments around the world and be one of the best tennis players in the world," said the 25-year-old about his motivations : "I am very 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."
Zverev speaks openly about illness for the first time
At the same time, Zverev, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of four, took an offensive approach to his illness for the first time. "Until now, not many people knew that I had diabetes. I was always afraid that my opponents would feel stronger against me if they knew about my illness," said the Olympic champion: "Today it's different and I worry about it no worries anymore." He feels "comfortable and safe enough to go public with this initiative".
Zverev's foundation is intended to finance insulin and other medications as well as projects for children and young people.