Scottie Scheffler got very real before the Open Championships. In a pre-tournament press conference, the top-ranked golfer explained how much he loves the sport, but that it is ultimately only a game. What truly matters to him is relationships and the people in his life.
He is right, of course. Expecting an athlete to have their life defined by the sport they play would be the same as us mere mortals who work at a bank or grocery store, and expecting those jobs to define us. We, and Scheffler, are so much more than what we do to make ends meet.
Tennis icons Boris Becker and Chris Evert took note of what the golfer had to say and reacted on social media. Likely, many people on social media had a negative approach to what Scheffler said because, unfortunately, social media can be a toxic place, and one that could be ignored.
Chris Evert and Boris Becker echo the wise words of Scottie Scheffler
Becker and Evert, however, applauded what the golfer said and echoed his sentiments. Becker succinctly said what Scheffler had to say was "very deep." Instead of something that could be read as a mocking tone, Becker almost certainly meant "very deep and correct."
That’s very deep Scottie… https://t.co/ajua5ZgaV6
— Boris Becker (@TheBorisBecker) July 15, 2025
Evert didn't want to detract from Scheffler's press conference, and not take his words and make them her own. Responding to a post that fleshed out a bit of what the golfer communicated, Evert said she appreciated Scheffler's honesty.
👍👍👍insightful and honest!
— Chris Evert (@ChrissieEvert) July 16, 2025
The most interesting part of the situation is how accustomed people have become to expecting canned answers from people. New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, for instance, can irritate people because he tries to project a team-first attitude with positivity, but his actions imply his words are not genuine.
It is refreshing when an athlete, such as Scheffler, lays bare the truth. The odd part is that the words need to be said at all. He is correct, of course, but fans often forget that their favorite players are also human beings. Scottie Scheffler reminded us of what we need to know.