After his first shots on the tennis court after more than two months, Olympic champion Alexander Zverev felt a great sense of relief, but he remains cautious about his comeback.
“I am happy. Firstly, how I played, that was very surprising after more than two months, and secondly, that I really don’t have any pain at all,” the 25-year-old told TV channels RTL and ntv after his first light practice on Saturday. “Of course I moved very carefully, haven’t built up any pressure on my foot yet – but now we can move on.”
Zverev is working hard on his comeback after his serious foot injury on June 3 in the French Open semi-final against Rafael Nadal, where he twisted his ankle and tore all three lateral ligaments in his right ankle. However, the US Open starting on 29 August will probably take place without him. “It’s still too early. I have played tennis for the first time now, very, very carefully. But to play in a Grand Slam, it’s still far away. Let’s see how it will work out,” Zverev said. He is rather hoping for the Davis Cup in his hometown Hamburg in mid-September: “Sure, I hope I’m 100 per cent fit then. “
Zverev reveals diabetes illness
At the same time, Zverev surprised everyone with his revelation that he has been living with a type 1 diabetes diagnosis since the age of four. “As a little boy I didn’t think much about it, later more and more. I want to show that you can make it very far with this disease,” Zverev said and also announced the establishment of his foundation “Alexander Zverev Foundation – Serving against Diabetes”.
“Now, many years later and also with the successes behind me, I feel comfortable and confident enough to go public with this initiative,” said Zverev.
In addition to providing insulin and other vital medicines, his foundation finances projects for affected children and young people. “I am in the privileged situation of leading a life I always wanted to lead. I always wanted to play tennis, travel to tournaments around the globe and be one of the best tennis players in the world,” said Zverev. He only managed to do that with the unconditional support of his family.
He is aware that not all children are so lucky and “that’s why it’s very important to me to give something back and to help others on their way”.
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that causes the body to produce little or no insulin. Type 1, as in Zverev’s case, is not yet curable, so that those affected have to inject insulin for the rest of their lives.