Alexander Zverev’s Mother Makes Emotional Revelation About Family’s Early Struggles to Manage Diabetes: “Very, Very Difficult to Control”

Alexander Zverev will be playing at the ATP Finals and will bid for his third title in the event.

Alexander Zverev’s Mother Makes Emotional Revelation About Family’s Early Struggles to Manage Diabetes: “Very, Very Difficult to Control”

Alexander Zverev, Irina Zvereva (Image via X/AllAboutHQ, Medtronic Diabetes)

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The tennis world is well aware that when Alexander Zverev was four years old, he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. His mother, Irina Zvereva, recalled how difficult it was to raise Sascha.

Due to the disease, he was told that it was tough for him to be an athlete. At present, the German is now one of the top players in the world, with multiple Big Titles to his name, not to forget the three Grand Slam finals he has played.

His Alexander Zverev foundation has partnered with Medtronic to raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes, and in a video, Irina said that people dealing with the same problem “can achieve anything” while managing their blood sugar.

I would say that back then, it was very, very difficult to control his blood sugar. And now, of course, it’s much easier, but our family has always been supportive. We were with him day and night. In the first years, we got up every night. His blood sugar was checked every 3 hours. And of course, my husband helped me. We took turns, one night him, one night me.

Irina Zvereva said

Zverev was last seen in action at the Paris Masters, where his run was ended by eventual winner Jannik Sinner in the semifinals. He will be ending the season without a Masters 1000 title to his name.

I would like to say to all parents, grandparents, and everyone who supports the children: this illness can be frightening, but you don’t have to be afraid, with diabetes, they can achieve anything.

Irina Zvereva added

Zverev has clinched just one title this year- the BMW Open by defeating Ben Shelton. He also made the finals of the Australian Open, Vienna Open, and the Stuttgart Open, losing the former two to World No.1 Sinner and the latter to Taylor Fritz.

Dominic Thiem recalls winning the US Open title against Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev reached a Grand Slam final for the first time at the 2020 US Open, and up against him was Austria’s Dominic Thiem. The German was successful in clinching the first two sets but failed to capitalize on it, eventually losing the match.

Alexander Zverev (via X/Jose Morgado)
Alexander Zverev (via X/Jose Morgado)

It was one of the three Grand Slam finals from 2006 to 2020 that did not feature a member of the Big 3- Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Thiem, during his interview with Beyond Business Cast, was asked if he felt like an underdog before entering the final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The nervousness was already there before the match. I’d say that was part of the problem. For the first time, I wasn’t the underdog; it was against Sascha, and I’d say the final was 50/50. It was the first time for both of us not to be playing against one of the all-time great legends.

Thiem hung up his racket at his home tournament, the Vienna Open, after his straight-set defeat to Luciano Darderi in his opening round. He met the three-time Grand Slam finalist 12 times, winning eight matches.

Zverev’s next target is the ATP Finals, where he will be aiming to win his third title (won in 2018 and 2021). The ATP Finals starts on November 9 in Turin. Last year, Zverev reached the semifinals but failed to go past eventual runner-up Taylor Fritz.

Zverev will be making his eighth appearance in the year-end championships. The only time he couldn’t qualify since making his ATP Finals debut in 2017 was in 2022 because of a gruesome injury he suffered during the French Open semifinal against Nadal that year.

Also read: David Ferrer Responds to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s Absence from Davis Cup