Naomi Osaka‘s ties to the rapper Cordae are officially over as she announces their split. The sensational tennis player broke the news on her Instagram Story, revealing they ended things amicably. It is unclear what sparked their separation; however, the athlete has no regrets about their time together.
In her statement, Osaka stressed that “no bad blood” exists between her and the rapper. She hailed him as “a great person and an awesome dad,” referencing their daughter, whom they welcomed in 2023. The doting mother described their child as her “biggest blessing,” revealing she had grown through her experiences with Cordae.
Osaka concluded her statement with a red heart emoji, with her words making rounds on other social media platforms. Fans on X reacted to the news with speculations and theories. One user saw the tennis player’s romance with Cordae as a PR stunt, implying their breakup was scripted. In the individual’s words:
“We know how it goes. Yall get together for the PR, have a baby, skip marriage, and then split. Same song and dance.”
Another fan did not support the former couple’s breakup, wondering why celebrities choose to have kids and separate. A third echoed similar sentiments, lamenting how the split would affect Osaka’s image. “With all her accomplishments. Now she’s just another rapper’s baby mama,” the X user wrote.
Someone speculated that Osaka got tired of Cordae’s “lyrical miracle stuff,” while another slammed him as a “low-value man.” Critics seemed inclined to bash the artist, with an X user claiming rappers created more single moms. Meanwhile, the former couple’s fans mourned their relationship, with a supporter noting they had been rooting for them.
Naomi Osaka and Cordae’s Relationship Timeline
It was unclear when Osaka and Cordae started dating; however, fans noticed the budding signs of a relationship early. In April 2019, the four-time Grand Slam singles champion sparked dating rumors following a video with the rapper. The clip captured her laughing at him while he checked himself in a mirror.
Three months later, Cordae confirmed that he and Osaka had been quietly dating for a long time. Although he did not share when their relationship started, he described the tennis player as his “girl.” He showcased his love for the athlete in September 2020 at the U.S. Open, proudly cheering for her.
At the time, Osaka won her second U.S. Open title and credited Cordae for his consistent support. The famous pair made the cover of GQ’s Modern Lovers issue in February 2021. Seven months later, they made their Met Gala debut as a couple, rocking glamorous pieces on the red carpet.
Osaka and Cordae enjoyed more romantic moments throughout 2022, occasionally blessing fans with sweet social media interactions. The most significant milestone in their relationship occurred in January 2023 when the athlete announced her pregnancy on Instagram. She shared a picture of her ultrasound while the rapper’s rep confirmed he was the father to Billboard.
Naomi Osaka and Cordae welcomed their first child, a daughter named Shai, in July 2023. Will child custody be an issue following their breakup, or can they co-parent amicably?
