Fans Demand Equal Treatment For Ben Simmons and Naomi Osaka Over Mental Health
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via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – AUGUST 30: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates against Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic during their Women’s Singles first round match on Day One of the 2021 US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 30, 2021 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka bravely withdrew from the French Open due to mental health issues. The issue became headline-grabbing news and fans, as well as fellow athletes, came out in support of the Japanese star. Naomi is currently on a break from tennis after her US Open exit due to mental health concerns.
NBA star Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers is currently involved in a somewhat similar situation to Osaka.
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NBA star decided to skip a match due to mental health problems
Recently, NBA star and Australian player, Ben Simmons, did not feature in the first match of the new season. He claimed that he was not ‘mentally’ ready to play the opening fixture for the Philadelphia 76ers.
USA Today via Reuters
May 31, 2021; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reacts after the basket during the first quarter against the Washington Wizards during game four in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Surprisingly, he hasn’t received a kind response from most of the fans. While some bashed him for missing the opening match, stating that he is afraid, others are making fun of him and calling him a coward on social media.
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Fans on Twitter call out double-standards in treatment; compare situation to Naomi Osaka
Unlike the situation with Naomi, most fans have been hostile towards Simmons because he decided to skip the match due to his mental health. However, there are others who believe that he should be given the same respect as Naomi received. As a result, renowned rapper Freddie Gibbs and many others came out in support of Simmons.
All this Ben Simmons stuff just be jokes to me I don’t mean no harm. Fam might be really going through some shit for real. Gotta show fam the same love y’all showed Naomi Osaka.
— Big 🐰 (@FreddieGibbs) October 22, 2021
“All this Ben Simmons stuff just be jokes to me I don’t mean no harm. Fam might be really going through some shit for real. Gotta show fam the same love y’all showed Naomi Osaka,” tweeted Gibbs.
Just like Gibbs, many others also extended their support to the 25-year-old Australian.
I just realized that Ben Simmons basically said I’m having a mental breakdown and I need time.. Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka went through the same thing and the world backed them and preached about Athletes and mental health. Double standard?
— StephHoopz (@StephHoopz) October 23, 2021
Excellent point, Joe. The same way we all called for people to give Simone Biles and Naomi Osaka their space over the summer, Ben Simmons is entitled to that same privilege. https://t.co/LY5z2h80FF
— Jaden Daly (@jadendaly) October 23, 2021
So yall will support Naomi Osaka and Biles for not playing due to mental health…but not Ben Simmons…ok…foh
— Richard (@akaWeeench) October 22, 2021
Naomi Osaka and Simone Biles: takes time off for mental health break. Everyone defends them
Ben Simmons: takes time off for a mental health break now. Everyone on his ASS— Andrew Hartley (@andrewhartley_2) October 22, 2021
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So Ben Simmons is “faking”but Naomi Osaka is a hero.
Got it https://t.co/KSpJpdPHPR— NDH (@notdantonholden) October 21, 2021
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Thus, several fans feel that instead of criticizing Simmons, it is important that they show their love to him. They also hope that he recovers soon and makes a comeback quickly.
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