Alexander Zverev's mother, Irina Zvereva, has opened up about the player's battle with Type 1 diabetes since he was four years old. A former player herself, Irina assured other sufferers that, although not easy, they can achieve anything while managing the disease.Since he was required to take regular insulin shots to maintain his blood sugar levels, Zverev was asked by doctors to stay away from a sport as physically demanding as tennis. Of course, he had other plans. The German became one of the world's top players, achieved a career-best No. 2 ranking, and won numerous prestigious titles, all while taking insulin.Medtronic, a medical device company, is partnering with the Alexander Zverev Foundation to raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes around the world. On Tuesday, November 4, Medtronic posted a video in which Irina Zvereva reflected on the family's journey while raising Zverev."I am Irina Zvereva, Alexander Zverev's mother. I actually always call him Sascha. Living with type 1 diabetes is like balancing a balloon in the air. Sascha was very young when he got diabetes, at the age of four," she said. "I would say that back then, it was very, very difficult to control his blood sugar. Now, of course, it's much easier, but our family has always been supportive."Irina continued:"We were with him day and night. In the initial years, we got up every night. His blood sugar was checked every three hours. And of course, my husband helped me. We took turns - one night him, one night me. This illness made Sascha grow up very quickly, because you have to work with so many numbers when all the other children were playing.""I would like to say to all parents, grandparents, and everyone who supports the children: this illness can be frightening, but you don't have to be afraid. With diabetes, they can achieve anything," she concluded.Diabetes patients could take inspiration from Zverev, who walked away with the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and has won the ATP Finals twice.When Alexander Zverev said he wants to 'empower' other Type 1 diabetes patientsRolex Paris Masters 2025 - Source: GettyIn June this year, Alexander Zverev revealed that he was devastated as a child when doctors restricted him from playing tennis due to his Type 1 diabetes. The 28-year-old said his foundation's partnership with Medtronic focuses on instilling the belief in others that they can do anything while living with the disease.“Becoming a professional tennis player was always my dream. Early on, I was told that competing at the highest level with diabetes was impossible, but my family and I refused to accept that. That’s why I’m partnering with Medtronic Diabetes. I want every person with diabetes to feel empowered to live the life they want," Zverev said (via Medtronic's official website)."I was upset that these limits were placed on me as a kid. I didn’t think it was fair, and I don’t want any child to believe that about themselves," he added.World No. 3 Alexander Zverev will participate in the ATP Finals in Turin, Italy, from November 9 to 16.