Alexander Zverev says he was told by an official at the French Open that he had to use a toilet break during one of his matches if he wishes to inject insulin into his body.
The world No.27 was diagnosed with diabetes as a child and the use of insulin injections helps blood sugar enter the body’s cells so it can be used for energy. Zverev has Type 1 diabetes which causes sugar levels in his bloodstream to become too high. This occurs as Zverev’s body can’t produce enough of the hormone insulin which is why he needs to have the injections. Unlike Type 2 Diabetes, it is not linked to age or weight.
“At ATP Tournaments it is very easy. I inject the insulin on the court during the changeovers regularly. Here in Paris, it is not allowed for me to do so on the court. They said I need to leave the court,” Zverev said following his fourth round win over Grigor Dimitrov at the French Open on Monday.
“During my last match (against Frances Tiafoe), they told me that this would count as a toilet break. I replied: ‘Guys, come on! I only have two toilet breaks in a match but in a best-of-five-match sometimes I have to inject four, or five times.’ So I told them that it can not be like this because this would mean that something is not allowed that is necessary for my well-being, for my life.”
Zverev says he has also been told that he is not allowed to inject himself with insulin and a doctor must do so. This is likely due to the tournament regulations regarding anti-doping control. Insulin is listed as a prohibited substance under section four of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s rulebook regarding hormone and metabolic modulators.
Although, the German is allowed to have this drug due to a medical reason as long as he obtains a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) from the relevant authorities. Which it is assumed that he has.
“During the second round, there was a discussion so I went out to inject the Insulin. Then a supervisor entered the room who did not know about this and he panicked and said: ‘No, No you can’t do that. A doctor needs to come to inject it.’ I told him that this is wrong because a normal doctor can’t help me if he is not specialized and does not have the right data about how much I have to inject.’ Zverev recounted.
“I told them: ‘Look, I have had Diabetes since I was three years old. I know exactly what to do.’ But he just replied:’No, a doctor has to do it.’ So this was another discussion.”
Zverev later added that he was told that he couldn’t inject on the court whilst playing as it looks ‘weird.’ Drawing further criticism from him.
“Today I finally told them (French Open officials): Please tell me what I need to do – and then it’s ok If I need to do it outside I’m happy to do it there it just takes five seconds. Just let me do it, better on-court. But they said it looks weird when I do this on court. But this is not a clever take because If I don’t do it, my life will be in danger. But they said it looks weird. I said: How does it look like? That I dope myself? This discussion makes no sense.” He concluded.
Zverev will play Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the quarter-finals of the French Open.
