Tennis’s shoddy treatment of diabetic Alexander Zverev is inexcusable

The German tennis star was told at the French Open to leave the court to inject insulin because it looked ‘weird’. This sends a terrible message, writes James Moore

Zverev added in his press conference that he was told it looks ‘weird’ if he injects himself on the court – and that’s when I really blew a gasket (AFP via Getty Images)

It is quite rare to come across a story that genuinely leaves me lost for words. At least at first. I have disabilities, some gifted to me by a wonky immune system (that would be type 1 diabetes), some by a large truck which ran me down. Being disabled immunises you to an awful lot of stupid.

Then the French Open tennis championship came along to prove that, yes, I can still be made to splutter hot espresso coffee all over my workspace.

Perhaps I should explain: Germany’s Alexander Zverev has played his way into the semi-finals at Roland Garros but it isn’t just his opponents he’s had to overcome.