WHEN THE BODY SAYS “NO” — BUT THE MIND SAYS “YES”
Alexander “Sascha” Zverev became a two-time Grand Slam champion , defeating Ben Shelton to win the 2026 US Open. But the night's most powerful moment had little to do with the trophy. It was about his mother. Zverev was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was just four years old . His parents were told by doctors that his life — and his ability to participate in sport — could be severely limited. But his mother refused to accept that his diagnosis would determine his destiny. She essentially told him: “My son will be whatever he wants to be. If he wants to be a tennis player, he will be a tennis player. If he wants to do something else, he will do something else. But this illness will not define us.” Years later, standing with the US Open trophy in his hands, Zverev became emotional as he paid tribute to her. He called his mother “the most important and strongest person I know.” And what a journey it has been. There were Grand Slam disappointments. Three ...