Who Is Naomi Osaka Dating? Relationship & Partner Details

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam tennis champion, has recently made headlines not just for her athletic prowess but also for significant changes in her personal life. The Japanese tennis star, who has been one of the most recognizable faces in professional tennis, announced in January 2025 that she and her long-term partner, American rapper Cordae, have ended their five-year relationship. This announcement came as a surprise to many fans who had followed their journey from their first public appearance in 2019 to becoming parents to their daughter Shai in July 2023.

The 27-year-old tennis champion took to Instagram to share the news with her followers, emphasizing that despite their separation, there remains mutual respect and a commitment to co-parenting their 17-month-old daughter. “Hi everyone, just wanted to say that Cordae and I are no longer in a relationship,” Osaka wrote in her Instagram Stories. “No bad blood at all, he’s a great person and an awesome dad. Honestly, really glad our paths crossed because my daughter is my biggest blessing, and I was able to grow a lot from our experiences together.”

This development marks a new chapter for Osaka, who has been balancing both her professional tennis career and motherhood since welcoming Shai. The timing of the announcement, coming just days before the Australian Open, demonstrates Osaka’s characteristic transparency with her fans about significant life events. As she continues to focus on her tennis career and raising her daughter, many are curious about what this means for her future relationships and personal life.

The End of a Five-Year Romance

Naomi Osaka and Cordae’s relationship officially began in 2019, though they kept their romance relatively private in its early stages. The couple first sparked dating rumors in April 2019 when Osaka posted a playful video of them together on Instagram. Their relationship was confirmed publicly by Cordae during a July 2019 interview with HOT 97, where he acknowledged Osaka as “his girl.”

The announcement of their breakup came on January 6, 2025, when Osaka shared the news through her Instagram Stories. The timing was particularly notable as it occurred just days before the Australian Open, where Osaka was expected to compete. The tennis star’s approach to sharing this personal news reflected the same openness she has shown throughout their relationship, choosing to address the situation directly rather than letting speculation continue.

What made their breakup announcement particularly mature was Osaka’s emphasis on maintaining a positive relationship for the sake of their daughter and their mutual respect. She specifically highlighted Cordae’s qualities as both a person and a father, indicating that their separation was amicable and focused on what’s best for their family unit moving forward.

Who Is Cordae?

Cordae Amari Dunston, professionally known as Cordae, is a 27-year-old American rapper, singer, and songwriter who has made significant waves in the hip-hop industry. The Grammy Award nominee was previously part of the YBN Crew before establishing himself as a solo artist. His relationship with Osaka brought him additional media attention, though he was already building a successful music career independently.

Interestingly, when Cordae first met Osaka at a Los Angeles Clippers game in December 2019, he had no idea who she was professionally. “It’s not my sport. If you asked me about tennis, before being immersed in it because of Naomi, I could only give you Venus and Serena Williams, you know? Because they’re just a part of the culture,” he admitted in interviews. This lack of preconceived notions about her tennis fame may have contributed to the authentic foundation of their relationship.

Throughout their relationship, Cordae became increasingly involved in the tennis world, regularly attending Osaka’s matches and showing visible support during her victories. His enthusiastic celebration during Osaka’s 2020 U.S. Open victory, where he was photographed jumping excitedly in the stands while wearing a “Defund the Police” t-shirt, became an iconic moment that demonstrated his support for both her career and social justice causes.

Their Journey to Parenthood

One of the most significant milestones in Osaka and Cordae’s relationship was the arrival of their daughter, Shai, in July 2023. Osaka announced her pregnancy in January 2023, shortly after withdrawing from the Australian Open. The couple had kept the pregnancy relatively private initially, with Osaka revealing in May 2023 that they were expecting a baby girl.

The pregnancy brought both joy and challenges for the couple. During her pregnancy, Osaka faced medical concerns including Group B streptococcus, which required antibiotic treatment, and the discovery that the umbilical cord was wrapped around their unborn child’s neck. Despite these complications, Shai was born healthy on July 7, 2023.

In December 2023, Osaka spoke candidly about their transition to parenthood in an interview with InStyle, describing the significant adjustment period they experienced. “There was a huge adjustment period,” she explained. “It was life-changing in a day. From the moment that you come back home from the hospital, everything’s different.” She praised their co-parenting dynamic, noting that they had “built a really good foundation” and respected each other’s opinions when it came to raising Shai.

Signs of Trouble and the Breakup

While the couple had maintained a relatively private relationship throughout their time together, there were subtle signs that suggested potential relationship challenges in the months leading up to their official announcement. Speculation about their relationship status began in September 2024 when Osaka posted about “the art of loving yourself” on social media, followed by another post expressing a desire for “someone who will watch the sunset with me.”

The most telling sign came when both Osaka and Cordae removed all their Instagram posts featuring each other, leading fans to speculate about a potential breakup. This digital cleansing of their shared memories was particularly notable given how they had previously celebrated their relationship milestones publicly, including birthday tributes and supportive posts about each other’s careers.

Just one day before announcing their breakup, Osaka posted a cryptic message on Instagram that seemed to hint at significant life changes. “I’ve come to the conclusion that what’s meant for me is meant for me,” she wrote, “and maybe certain situations occur to train my mind for what’s to come. Maybe there are bigger and better things on my path, and I just have to continue the journey to encounter them.”

Current Relationship Status and Future Outlook

As of January 2025, Naomi Osaka is officially single following her amicable separation from Cordae. The tennis star has made it clear that her primary focus remains on two key areas: her professional tennis career and co-parenting their daughter, Shai. Her mature approach to the breakup, emphasizing mutual respect and their shared commitment to their child’s well-being, suggests that both parents are prioritizing Shai’s stability during this transition.

Osaka’s return to competitive tennis has been a significant focus since becoming a mother. She reached her first WTA final since 2022 at the Auckland Classic, though she was forced to withdraw due to an abdominal injury. This return to form on the tennis court indicates her dedication to rebuilding her professional career while managing her responsibilities as a single mother.

The tennis champion has not indicated any interest in dating or pursuing new romantic relationships at this time. Her recent social media activity suggests she is embracing this new chapter of independence and personal growth. “That being sai,d this is about to be a great year,” she concluded in her cryptic pre-breakup post, indicating optimism about her future.

Given Osaka’s track record of being open about significant life events, it’s likely that when she does choose to pursue new relationships in the future, she will share this news with her fans in her characteristically direct manner. For now, her focus remains on tennis, motherhood, and personal development as she navigates this new phase of her life as a single parent and professional athlete.

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