When writing about Hideki Matsuyama’s wife, one is forced to consider an ethical dilemma.
Public figures right to privacy?
It’s at the core of the debate of this site, and Hideki Matsuyama’s wife is a perfect example. PlayerWives.com has been around for almost twelve years now. Which, in Internet years makes us elderly. Every post we’ve ever written has been about a professional athlete, or an amateur in the public zeitgeist. Think Olympics or NCAA FBS or basketball. Public figures are inherently topics of interest, and in the social media world, people need more information.
But, when it comes to Hideki Matsuyama, the efforts he has gone to reveal the magnitude of how he cherishes privacy.
In the summer of 2017, before the height of our COVID world, Matsuyama was a late season Fedex Cup leader. As the media scrutiny increased given his newfound stardom, people learned small hints about his private life. In one press conference, he revealed how Mei Matsuyama had just given birth to the couple’s first child. Surprising news unto itself. Doubled when no one knew he was married at all.
In an interview with Golf.com he explained.
“No one really asked me if I was married, so I didn’t have to answer that question,” Matsuyama said. He had tied the knot in January of that year, he said, and become a father in July. “But I felt that after the PGA would be a good time, because our baby is born and I thought that would be a good time to let everyone know.”
Beyond that, and the knowledge that his daughter’s name is Kanna, there just isn’t a ton more known about Hideki Matsuyama’s wife. Which is the way he clearly wants it. A quick perusal of his social media confirms his desire for privacy. An incredibly clean, professionally manicured account revealing only golf. Nothing further.
So what’s the final verdict?
It’s tough to say much more honestly. Yes, Hideki Matsuyama’s wife exists, and has existed for four plus years. They do have one child together, but that’s it for the information department. When Hideki pulls on the green jacket at the 2021 Master’s it’ll be interesting to see if Mei is waiting to celebrate with him in view of the world. Either way, if that’s the way he wants it, that’s where we’ll leave it.
There. We nailed the blurred lines in that ethical debate.
