Who Is Naomi Osaka's Ex-Boyfriend? All About Cordae

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty

Naomi Osakaand Cordae have called it quits.

The tennis starannounced their breakupon her Instagram Stories on Jan. 6, writing, “Hi everyone, just wanted to say that Cordae and I are no longer in a relationship.”

Osaka and Cordae were first romantically linked in 2019, and in July 2023, theywelcomed a daughternamed Shai. The pair seemingly went through a rough patch in October 2023 when fans noticed that Osaka hadscrubbed her Instagram of photos with the rapper. However, she later spoke about parenting with her “boyfriend” Cordae during an interview withInStylein December 2023.

Over the years, the “Kung Fu” singer frequented Osaka’s tennis matches and accompanied her to the Met Gala in 2021.

So who is Naomi Osaka’s ex-boyfriend? Here’s everything to know about Cordae.

His first date with Osaka was at an L.A. Clippers game

Allen Berezovsky/Getty

Cordae and Osaka attended an L.A. Clippers game for theirfirst datein 2019, though the two opted to keep quiet about their relationship for the first year they were dating. In a video forGQ,Cordae later revealed their first kiss was in Indian Wells, Calif.

The rapper also shared his favorite date with Osaka. “We drove to Rhode Island from New York to go visit my grandmother. That was super tight,” he said.

He’s a rapper

Josh Brasted/FilmMagic

Cordae is a Grammy-nominated rapper who has collaborated withH.E.R.andYoung Thug. Upon the release of his sophomore albumBird’s Eye View,Osaka praised him onInstagram, saying, “Getting closer to someone and seeing how much love and dedication they put into their craft is truly inspiring.”

The artist commented on her post, writing, “I LOVE U 2 DEATH !! U TRULY MY RIDE OR DIE BONNIE AND CLYDE JUST WAY MORE FLY.”

He was supportive of Osaka’s mental health

Naomi Osaka Instagram

Osaka has been open about hermental health journey, including the ways Cordae supported her when she was feeling overwhelmed.

In 2020, he dropped everything to quarantine with her at theUS Openafter she called him from the event.

“I FaceTimed him a couple days earlier and said I was feeling sad and lonely in the bubble,” she wrote onInstagram. Unbeknownst to her at the time, Cordae then boarded a flight and quarantined in a hotel to be with her.

He didn’t watch much tennis before dating Osaka

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Cordae revealed he wasn’t much of a tennis fan before meeting Osaka.

“If you asked me about tennis, before being immersed in it because of Naomi, I could only give youVenusandSerena Williams, you know? Because they’re just a part of the culture,” hesaid.

The first tennis match he attended was in 2019 at the US Open. A year later, when he joined Osaka in the bubble for the same event, she joked online that he still hadn’t learned the game.

“The funniest part is even after doing all this I’m still convinced he doesn’t understand the rules of tennis lol,” Osaka wrote onInstagram.

He and Osaka share a daughter

Instagram/naomiosaka

In January 2023, Osakarevealed on Instagramthat she and Cordae were going to be parents.

The mom-to-be also shared screenshots of a message, typed in both English and Japanese, reflecting on her career.

“The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that it’s the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun,” she wrote. “These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to.”

At the US Open in September 2023, Osaka explained toESPNwhy the couple chose the name Shai.

“Shai means God’s gift. I wanted her to feel like she was a gift to me and her dad,” she told the media outlet.

In an interview withInStylein December 2023, Osaka opened up aboutparenting with Cordae, saying that they have “built a really good foundation.”

“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,” she said.

He and Osaka kept their relationship private

Both Cordae and Osaka have public careers, but they were careful about what aspects of their relationship they were willing to share.

“We were dating for almost a year before people knew about us,” the rapperexplained. “So we kind of move very reclusively. We don’t really post intimate moments, because I feel as though they’re sacred. A relationship is really a sacred thing. Once you let outside influences get into it, it becomes less sacred.”

He loved Osaka’s cooking

“You are a great cook,” he told Osaka in a video forGQ.When asked to guess which of her specialties Cordae likes best, Osaka listed ribeye, shrimp, gnocchi and broccoli. But, he countered that he prefers her fried chicken, mac and cheese and homemade Red Lobster biscuits.

He and Osaka worked out together

The exes liked to hit the gym together. In September 2021, Osaka shared agym selfieof the two, and Cordae later shared impressive before and after photos that showed his transformation after working out more often.

He’s into fashion

Phillip Faraone/WireImage

The rapper has a keen sense of fashion and has appeared at designer shows in the past. He and Osakaattended the Met Galatogether in 2021, and Cordae wore custom Coach for the occasion.

“The look really came together beautifully from the idea we had sent,” he toldPEOPLEof his Met Gala attire. “Coach really brought it to life in a super super dope way. I’m really happy with the final product and more importantly I feel great in the fit.”

He won an Emmy

Cordae Instagram

The Obamas congratulated Cordae in a letter that read: “We are so proud to have worked with you onWe The People. The Emmy is wonderful recognition of your hard work, but more important are the young people who are a little smarter and a little more civically minded as a result. Thank you for your hard work, it means a lot to us. We hope we can continue to find ways to work together.”

Osaka announced her split from Cordae in January 2025

Cordae and Naomi Osaka in 2022.Cassy Athena/Getty

Cassy Athena/Getty

The tennis starannounced the pair’s breakupon Jan. 6. She shared the news on her Instagram Stories and assured fans that there is “no bad blood at all” between her and the rapper.

“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 added.

source: people.com