Alexander Zverev (25) has made a long-standing diabetes disease public. "I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of four," says the website of his newly founded foundation. As a little boy he "didn't think much about it", but later "more and more". The illness always accompanied him. "Now, many years later and with the success behind me, I feel comfortable and confident enough to go public with this initiative."
With the foundation he wants to show "that you can make it very far with this disease. I want to be a role model for people who are already ill, but also be a support for the children who can still avoid it with an active life and the right prevention to get diabetes." The motto: "Serve against diabetes".
He also announces on Instagram that the Alexander Zverev Foundation has officially existed since August 6th. "I want to encourage children with diabetes to never give up on their dreams, no matter what others might say," he writes there.
The initiative will primarily be aimed at children suffering from diabetes (type 1) and will implement projects with donations. According to the website, "the life-saving insulin and other vital medicines should also be made available, especially in third world countries". In the work of his foundation, which is based in his hometown of Hamburg, Alexander Zverev is supported by his brother Misha (34) and his parents Irina (55) and Alexandr (62).
Why did Alexander Zverev keep his own illness a secret for a long time? "I was always afraid that my opponents would feel stronger against me if they knew about my illness," the website continues. "Today it's different and I don't worry about it anymore."
