Kaylah Walton
Tennis player Naomi Osaka announced on Monday that her relationship with rapper Cordae has concluded after five years.
The news was shared through Osaka’s Instagram Story.
Osaka announces end of relationship with Cordae
The four-time Grand Slam champion emphasized that the separation was amicable, highlighting their mutual focus on their 1-year-old daughter, Shai.
“Hi everyone, just wanted to say that Cordae and I are no longer in a relationship,” Osaka, 27, wrote.
“No bad blood at all; he’s a wonderful person and an amazing father. I’m really grateful for our time together because my daughter is my greatest blessing and I’ve learned so much from our journey.”
While Osaka didn’t mention the exact timing of their breakup, speculations had started in late 2023 when she removed pictures of Cordae from her Instagram.
Cordae, also 27, hasn’t released any public statements regarding the situation.
The couple began dating in 2018, keeping their relationship mostly private until they made a public appearance at a Los Angeles Clippers game in 2019.
They valued their privacy, a principle Cordae supported in a 2021 GQ interview.
“A relationship is really a sacred thing. Once outside factors interfere, it loses its sanctity,” he stated back then.
Even with the split, Osaka maintains a positive outlook on their co-parenting relationship.
In a 2023 interview with InStyle, she praised Cordae’s easy-going personality and their shared commitment to their daughter.
“Ultimately, we both want the best for Shai,” she expressed.
This announcement follows Osaka’s recent withdrawal from the WTA Auckland Open final due to an abdominal injury.
The former world No. 1 returned to tennis last year after taking maternity leave and is now concentrating on her recovery and future matches.
As prominent figures in their respective fields, Cordae in hip-hop and Osaka in tennis, they will now move forward individually while remaining committed to their daughter’s upbringing.
