Naomi Osaka Shares Rare Photos with Daughter Shai in Sweet New Year's Post: 'Cutest Girl in the World'

Mar. 15, 2025

Naomi Osaka; the athlete poses with her daughter Shai.Photo:Daniel Kopatsch/Getty; naomiosaka/Instagram

Daniel Kopatsch/Getty; naomiosaka/Instagram

On Wednesday, Jan. 1, the tennis pro, 27 — whowelcomed her first childwith rapperCordae, also 27, in July 2023 — shared a carousel of photos onInstagramfeaturing her daughter, without showing the toddler’s face, to mark the end of 2024.

One snap showed Osaka holding Shai and looking at her proudly while standing on a tennis court, as a second black-and-white image focused on the little one’s tiny hand placed on her mom’s chest.

A further shot showed Shai wearing a bug backpack with her hair in cute pigtails as both mom and daughter looked out toward the ocean, while a different picture featured Shai seemingly wandering through a kitchen wearing an adorable white dress.

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Naomi Osaka with her daughter Shai.naomiosaka/Instagram

naomiosaka/Instagram

Osaka gazed down at her daughter with their backs to the camera in a couple more photos.

Among the carousel of images, the toddler could also be seen watching her mom from her playpen on the television, and Osaka held Shai on her knee as they sat on a dock looking out at the water in a further shot.

“2024 wrap but it’s pics of me and the cutest girl in the world,” the athlete captioned the post.

Osaka — who is currently competing in the 2025 ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand — rarely shares snaps of her daughter on social media, but has beenopen about the struggles she facedthrough pregnancy and since becoming a mom.

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In an interview withInStylepublished in December 2023, Osaka revealed that she experienced several complications with her pregnancy — including testing positive for Group B streptococcus, a bacterial infection that can give newborns meningitis or sepsis — and also labored for more than 12 hours.

“I don’t think people know how hard pregnancy is; no one really talks about it as much,” she told the outlet. “Going into it, you kind of think, ‘Oh, it’s this beautiful journey.’ But it’s kind of rough.”

Last summer, Osakaopened up to PEOPLEabout how her perspective on health has changed since taking time away from her tennis career after welcoming Shai.

“As an athlete, my health has always been a priority, even more now that I am returning to tennis after having my daughter,” she said in the July 2024 interview about returning to the sport.

“I am learning new ways to take care of myself both on and off the court, not only for myself, but for my family,” Osaka continued.

“Being intentional is important when it comes to prioritizing your health as a mom and an athlete. Finding balance in all areas of life including training is important,” she went on. “I believe continuing to nurture my body and mind is what will allow me to achieve my goals on and off the tennis court.”

source: people.com