‘I Feel Badly for Her’: Golf Legend Jack Nicklaus Empathized With Naomi Osaka and Had an Advice for ‘Young People’ After Her French Open Controversy in 2021

If there is anyone in the golf community who is always open to media interactions, it’s Jack Nicklaus. Without getting into many controversies, the golfer has managed to be honest and clear with his statements in all his interviews. And therefore, he understands what it feels like to be in the public’s eye better than anyone else could probably know. But there was a time when Nicklaus stood up against the ways of the new-formed media when Naomi Osaka went through a bad mental phase.

Jack Nicklaus’ bold stand in support of Naomi Osaka

Nicklaus has always respected the media and has shared his opinions fearlessly with them. He once supported his old friend and admirer, Tiger Woods, in his comments about Donald Trump. However, it is not just the golfer that he supported. He once took a strong stand for tennis professional Naomi Osaka during a rough phase of her life.

Other than being a golf legend, Nicklaus has also had a great interest in tennis throughout his life. And therefore, he was asked about the famous Osaka incident regarding her decision to avoid media interactions. According to sources, the four-time grand slam champion announced that she would not participate in press conferences.

As per her statements, dealing with the media was not easy and was endangering her mental health. Although she had clearly announced her decision, she had to face consequences for the same. The tennis star was fined for missing her first media availability and later decided to withdraw from the tournament.

But according to Nicklaus, who believes that athletes are liable to be available for the media, empathized with Osaka. “If she has [anxiety issues]…then you guys [the media] should…allow her to do what she needs to do,” Nicklaus said. “I feel badly for her and I hope that she [gets] whatever she needs.”

Read More: ‘I Was So Disappointed’: Jack Nicklaus Once Exposed the Harsh Reality of How the Masters ‘Destroyed’ and Humbled Him, Despite Immense Success

Nicklaus also talked about how he had always been fair to the media and had gotten the same fairness in return. But according to him, some young people were trying to get famous without being fair. “I think you have a few people in the media today who are trying to make a name and they want to get sensational,” he said. He added, “I treated you fairly, you treated me fairly…I don’t understand some of the young people today and thinking they’re not going to get treated fairly.”

Nicklaus’ support towards the tennis pro was highly appreciated by his fans. And once again, his words of wisdom got him through the whole matter without landing him into a controversy.

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