Naomi Osaka and Cordae Announce Amicable Split After Nearly Five Years
The new year has brought significant personal news for tennis star Naomi Osaka. Less than a week into 2025, Osaka took to Instagram on Monday to announce her split from rapper Cordae, her longtime partner.
In a brief and heartfelt statement, Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam champion, confirmed the separation was amicable and expressed respect for Cordae. “Hi everyone, just wanted to say that Cordae and I are no longer in a relationship,” she wrote, ending the message with a red heart emoji. “No bad blood at all, he’s a great person and an awesome dad.”
The couple began dating in 2019 and share a 1-year-old daughter, Shai. Cordae, a North Carolina-born hip-hop artist who rose to fame as part of the rap collective YBN, was often seen supporting Osaka at her tennis matches. The pair were known for their strong bond and shared commitment to their family, with Osaka revealing in a 2023 interview with InStyle that their co-parenting relationship was built on mutual respect and open communication.
“We built a really good foundation,” Osaka said at the time. “I don’t know if it’s because he’s just an easygoing guy, but I think we just respect each other’s opinions. And if we disagree on something, we talk it out. At the end of the day, we both want what’s best for Shai.”
Osaka, who returned to competitive tennis last year after maternity leave, expressed gratitude for the experiences they shared. “Honestly really glad our paths crossed because my daughter is my biggest blessing and I was able to grow a lot from our experience together,” she wrote in her announcement.
The couple’s relationship mirrored other high-profile unions between sports and entertainment stars, such as Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade or Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce.
Representatives for both Osaka and Cordae have not commented further on the split. Fans of the tennis star and rapper continue to show their support as the pair focus on co-parenting their daughter and navigating this new chapter of their lives.
