• The German tennis player was the star of the first “Mextenis Talks” of the 33rd edition of the tournament.

Acapulco, February 22, 2026.- “I would love to return to Mexico for the next 10 years.” That’s how much Alexander Zverev loves Mexican fans and how comfortable he feels coming back year after year to the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presented by HSBC in Acapulco. 

In front of dozens of fans who gathered outside the south end of the GNP Seguros Arena, the German tennis player was the star of the tournament’s first “Mextenis Talks,” which aims to reveal the human side of each of the players. 

“Sasha” shared anecdotes from his childhood, the difficult moments he experienced during the long period he was away from the courts due to injury, and even the feelings he has for his pet “Mishka,” who is accompanying him on this occasion in Acapulco. 

“I am fortunate. When my mother was told that a person with diabetes could not be an athlete, I was able to prove to the doctors that I could be a high-performance athlete. I hope that one day an athlete with diabetes can be a Grand Slam champion, and I hope that it will be me,” he said. 

Zverev recalled how difficult it was for him to return to competition after a serious injury in Paris in 2024. “The whole process was very difficult, but going through this circumstance (the injury) made me appreciate tennis even more. All that struggle made me appreciate it,” he acknowledged. 

For the German, coming back from his injury made him mentally stronger. “When I stopped feeling pain, I think I became a better player than before (the injury). Injuries happen in sports; it’s not the first or the last. I believe that nothing lasts forever. I was happy to be able to play again after almost a year out. Coming back is not only physical but also mental, and I have returned to being the player I promised to be,” he said. 

“No one can tell you that you can’t.”

As a child, “Sasha” was diagnosed with diabetes, a situation that helped him mature at a very young age. “This condition (illness) does not define me, I have not let this disease condition my life. I learned to mature very young. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Don’t let this disease define you or limit you. After my injury in Paris in 2024, I started thinking about my foundation and sharing my experience with everyone who suffers from this disease,” he acknowledged. 

His love for his pet “Mishka”

He accompanies him to the courts and Alexander loves spending time with his pet. “He gives me a sense of calm, I feel that when I’m with him, I’m at home.” 

Zverev admitted that he “loves tennis, but not fame.” When he has free time, he likes to “disappear” and have no contact with social media, and be in a place where he feels comfortable and calm. 

“I like to play golf and paddle tennis. I enjoy being here, I like the people, the environment, and the atmosphere,” he reiterated.