Naomi Osaka confirms split from longtime partner Cordae ‘I can’t do this anymore’, will co-parent daughter Shai

  Naomi Osaka and Cordae Part Ways, Commit to Co-Parenting Daughter Shai

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1 tennis star, confirmed her split from longtime partner Cordae, with whom she shares a daughter, Shai. Osaka praised the rapper as “an awesome dad” and described their time together as “my biggest blessing.”

In a heartfelt social media post on Monday, Osaka announced the breakup, emphasizing that there is “no bad blood” between them. “He’s a great person and an awesome dad,” she wrote. “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.”

Osaka and Cordae began dating in 2019, the same year Cordae gained critical acclaim for his debut solo album, *The Lost Boy*. Their relationship was a central feature of Osaka’s Netflix docuseries, which premiered in 2021. Cordae was frequently seen supporting Osaka at her matches, including celebrating with her team when she won the 2020 US Open.

Osaka expressed admiration for Cordae’s artistry in 2022, highlighting his dedication to writing his lyrics and the effort he puts into his creative process. “He actually writes his lyrics,” Osaka said at the time. “He has to take the time to actually experience the things that he does. It’s a really fascinating process.”

The couple announced they were expecting their first child in early 2023, and their daughter Shai was born in the summer of that year.

Osaka made a triumphant return to the tennis court after maternity leave in January 2024. She reached her first final in almost three years at the ASB Classic, though she had to withdraw from the championship match due to injury. Despite the setback, Osaka’s comeback saw her return to the Top 50 in the Hologic WTA tour rankings. She is slated to make her ninth main-draw appearance at the Australian Open in Melbourne next week.

As they navigate their new roles as co-parents, both Osaka and Cordae remain focused on providing a loving environment for their daughter, Shai, while continuing to pursue their respective careers.