Why is Zverev allowed to use his phone at Wimbledon?

Alexander Zverev has been spotted checking his phone during Wimbledon matches — and there's a good reason. The tennis star, who recently reached the men's singles final, has Type 1 diabetes, and the All England Club has given him special permission to use his phone on court to protect his health.

Many fans noticed Zverev glancing at his phone during changeovers and wondered why he wasn't penalized. The answer lies in his daily battle with a condition that affects how his body processes sugar. Without the ability to monitor his blood glucose levels while playing, Zverev could face serious health risks.

The club confirmed to BBC Sport that Grand Slam tournaments keep a list of diabetic players who are allowed to use phones during matches. This exemption lets them check their glucose readings and take insulin if needed — something that would be impossible if they had to stop play entirely.

Zverev carries two phones with him on court. One is a regular phone with a SIM card for calls and messages. The other contains no SIM card at all — its only job is receiving data from his glucose monitor, a small device attached to his body that tracks his blood sugar in real time. Instead of stopping to prick his finger and test a drop of blood every changeover, he can simply glance at his screen.

"That's why the umpires allow me to check my phone, so I don't have to poke my finger every changeover," Zverev told BBC Sport.

The system isn't perfect. During the Halle Open in June, his glucose monitor malfunctioned during a semifinal match against Taylor Fritz. The device gave an incorrect reading, and Zverev injected far more insulin than he needed. To counteract the dangerous overdose, he had to consume about 350 grams of sugar — roughly the amount in three cans of cola. He said afterward that he felt "absolutely terrible."

Still, having the phone and monitor gives Zverev a level of safety that previous generations of diabetic athletes didn't have. It means he can play at the highest level of tennis without sacrificing his health — and without stepping off the court for medical reasons.

For millions of people living with diabetes, seeing a top athlete manage his condition so openly at a major tournament offers both practical hope and a reminder that living well with a chronic illness is possible.