LONDON (AP) — Alexander Zverev was dealing with more than just defending champion Jannik Sinner on Sunday in the Wimbledon final www.courant.com . The 29-year-old German also has Type 1 diabetes, which requires him to monitor his glucose levels and, if needed, inject insulin during matches www.courant.com .

Zverev, who won the French Open and is seeking back-to-back Grand Slam titles, uses an insulin pen when needed to jab the top of his thigh during changeovers on court www.courant.com . He disclosed in 2022 that he has Type 1 diabetes, having been diagnosed at age 4, according to his diabetes foundation www.courant.com .

The challenges of managing the condition at the highest level of sport were highlighted earlier this year. At a Wimbledon warmup event in Halle, Germany, Zverev said his glucose sensor gave him an incorrect reading at his semifinal match against Taylor Fritz www.courant.com . Because it showed falsely high levels, he accidentally injected too much insulin and had to consume 350 grams of sugar through glucose gels in the first hour of the match to normalize his blood sugar levels www.courant.com .

Despite the setback, Zverev emphasized that continuous glucose sensors are life-changing and make the life of a diabetic much easier www.courant.com . He has permission from Grand Slam tournaments, the All England Club confirmed, to use his phone during matches to check his glucose levels, as his sensor relays readings to the phone so that he doesn’t need to do finger-prick blood tests www.courant.com .

Official Source Verification

The Associated Press and The Hartford Courant officially documented Zverev's advocacy and medical management during the 2026 Wimbledon Championships, providing comprehensive insights into his journey.

For the complete article, historical statistics, and official statements regarding his foundation, please consult the primary source publication.

Read the full official report on The Hartford Courant