Tennis fans watching the Wimbledon men’s final on Sunday 11 July 2026 may have noticed Alexander Zverev taking an injection during his match against Jannik Sinner. The French Open champion, who was aiming for his first Wimbledon title, administered insulin to manage his Type 1 diabetes, a condition he has lived with since the age of four.
During a change of ends in the second set, with Zverev leading 3-2 after winning the first set, he sat down, retrieved an insulin pen from a medical pouch, and injected it into his leg. This is a routine procedure for individuals with Type 1 diabetes to regulate their blood glucose levels, which can fluctuate significantly, especially under the physical demands of professional sport.
Zverev's medical condition also explains why he is permitted to use a mobile phone during matches, a practice generally banned for other players. This exemption allows him to monitor his glucose levels via a continuous glucose monitor connected to his phone, negating the need for constant finger-prick checks. He previously told BBC Sport that this system ensures he doesn't "have to poke my finger every changeover." Grand Slam tournaments maintain a list of diabetic players who are granted such allowances.
The balancing act required to manage his diabetes while competing at the highest level has been acknowledged by commentators. Tennis legends Andre Agassi and Andrew Castle, during BBC’s coverage, highlighted the inspirational nature of Zverev's ability to maintain peak physical performance despite his health challenge. Agassi noted that Zverev "doesn’t claim victim when it comes to his diabetes," while Castle praised his capacity to "handle that aspect of his health and still produce this level of physical performances."
However, even with close monitoring, challenges can arise. Zverev recounted an incident at June's Halle Open where a malfunctioning glucose sensor provided incorrect readings, causing him to inject an excessive dose of insulin. He lost that match and described feeling "absolutely terrible" after consuming a large amount of sugar to counteract the error. He stated it was the first time such a significant sensor error had occurred since he began using them in 2016 or 2017.