Fuss about Alexander Zverev at the French Open. The tennis ace is prohibited from performing any vital action on the court.
Paris - Alexander Zverev has made an impressive return to the top of the tennis world. After his three-set victory (6: 1, 6: 4, 6: 3) against Grigor Dimitrov, the Hamburg native is in the quarterfinals of the French Open - at the place where he was seriously injured a year ago. Zverev not only has to deal with his opponents on clay in Paris, obstacles are also put in his way off the court.
| Alexander Zverev | |
|---|---|
| Born: | 20 April 1997 (age 26 years), Hamburg |
| Size: | 1.98 m |
| Greatest success: | 2021 Olympic Tennis Champion |
| Best World Ranking: | 2. |
Zverev celebrates success at French Open - but there are discussions about his illness
When the second set is over, Zverev suddenly leaves the court and runs into the locker room. Toilet break? By no means. The Olympic champion injects himself with insulin. Zverev has been diabetic since childhood. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of four, and last year the tennis ace made his illness public and even set up a foundation.
"On the ATP tour, I do it on the bench. Here I'm not allowed to do it on the court and have to run outside every time," Zverev explained the confusion surrounding his trip at Eurosport. On his return, there was a short discussion with the referee. "I told the referee that there had to be a clear structure. Then that's no problem at all," Zverev explained. "I've been diabetic since I was three and a half years old – that's nothing new, I've been doing it all my life."
Alexander Zverev is exposed to absurd insinuations at the French Open. © JB Autissier/Imago
Absurd syringe dispute about Zverev at the French Open: "It's about my life"
But why can't Zverev give himself the insulin injection on the bench at the French Open? He had been told by officials that it looked like he was doing "something funny" when he splashed himself on the pitch as if he were doping. "Yes, you are not very, very smart. If I don't inject myself, my life is in danger," Zverev emphasized.
"At the last match, they said it was a toilet break. That's when I said that I might have to go out four or five times. But this referee knew that it was nonsense to consider it a toilet break, because only two of them are allowed," explained the 26-year-old. "And this is about my life if I don't inject myself. But last time there was a supervisor who didn't even know I was diabetic."
Zverev annoyed by imputed toilet breaks and doping accusations
Zverev revealed that during his match against Frances Tiafoe, a supervisor "didn't even know I was diabetic. When he saw that I was giving myself an injection, he panicked and said, 'What are you doing? What are you doing? You have to call a doctor if you want to give yourself something.'" But Zverev doesn't need a doctor who isn't a diabetologist. "He won't even know what to do and how much to inject myself."
0
Also Read
First an Olympic legend, then a professional footballer: sports idol is dead
READ
Ball girl hit in the head by tennis ball: French Open match canceled
READ
Novak Djokovic: Girlfriend, wife, children, family? Here's what we know about the Serbian tennis ace
READ
Bavarian professional climber (21) has a fatal accident: "An athlete as you could only wish for him"
READ
Triathlon star Frodeno describes seconds of fatal Ironman accident: "I just passed by"
READ
Fancy a voyage of discovery?
My Area
Zverev finally demands clarity in this matter: "Decide what I should do," demanded the Olympic champion and added: "I'll do that too, but don't send me back and forth. Don't tell me it's a bathroom break and don't tell me to get a doctor who has no idea what I have."
Boris Becker attacks French Open organizers because of Zverev dispute
Eurosport expert Boris Becker also found clear words: "That must be clear to the tournament organizer. He regularly does it himself," he criticized. "What he has to deal with after winning the second set is underground."
Diabetes is a metabolic disease that allows the body to produce little or no insulin. Type 1, as with Zverev, is not yet curable, so those affected have to inject insulin for the rest of their lives. Zverev meets Tomas Martin Etcheverry from Argentina in the quarterfinals of the French Open on Wednesday. Outside the tennis court, Zverev is a big Bayern fan and criticized the bosses for Nagelsmann's expulsion. (ck)