Tennis sensation Naomi Osaka recently revealed that she and her long-time partner, rapper Cordae, have decided to go their separate ways. The couple, who welcomed their 17-month-old daughter, Shai, in July 2023, had been together since 2019.
In a message shared on her Instagram Story on January 6, Osaka, 27, expressed gratitude for their time together, saying, “Cordae and I are no longer in a relationship. There’s no bad blood. He’s an amazing person and a fantastic father.” She continued, “I’m really thankful our paths crossed because my daughter is my greatest blessing, and I’ve learned a lot from our time together.”
Osaka’s announcement came shortly after she posted a wave of introspective musings the day before. “I’ve realized that what’s meant for me will come, and maybe some experiences are just preparing me for what lies ahead,” she wrote on January 5. “There could be bigger opportunities down the road, and I just need to keep moving forward to find them.”
The four-time Grand Slam champion also acknowledged her appreciation for those supporting her, those close to her, writing, “Thank you to my team and everyone who supports me. You keep me grounded (even though, let’s be honest, that’s a bit of a challenge sometimes, LOL).” She went on to thank her “friends worldwide” and said, “I truly feel like we’re on this journey together, and I hope you’re enjoying it as much as I am.”
This all came after Osaka’s emotional run to the ASB Classic finals in Auckland, New Zealand, where she faced Clara Tauson on January 4. A setback in the form of an abdominal injury caused Osaka to retire early, marking her first WTA final appearance in almost three years. Osaka’s spirits remain high, even after the setback about her recovery, noting in a statement on January 5 that she would undergo an MRI to assess the injury’s severity, especially with the Australian Open starting on January 12. “I don’t think it’s too serious, and I’m still hopeful for AO,” she said.
Osaka’s impressive performance in Auckland helped her re-enter the upper echelons of the world’s top 50 on January 6, marking her return to the elite group for the first time since early 2023, before she took time off for the birth of her daughter.
