Naomi Osaka is one of the best athlete in the world, but despite the huge spotlight on her that comes with being a tennis pro, she’s pretty private about her personal life. However! We do know a bit about her boyfriend Cordae and their sweet relationship, because they simply can’t help but be cute all over social. So if you’re in the mood for a deep dive, you’ve arrived at the right spot. And first of all…
Nope, Those Breakup Rumors Aren’t True
There was a ton of weird, misplaced speculation in early August 2022 that Naomi and Cordae (who was previously part of the hip-hop collective YBN) had split up, but not so much. TMZ says the pair are actually doing “better than ever,” are “happily in love,” and have been “spending even more time together recently,” which make the breakup rumors kinda weird.
Oh, and they seemingly responded to the speculation with this:
us looking at twitter yesterday ???????? pic.twitter.com/IEdmZDMbEv
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) August 3, 2022
In Fact, They’re Actually Pregnant!!!
Yes, you read that right, and yes, I am legit crying right about now, lol. The tennis pro shared the exciting news via an Instagram carousel featuring a photo of an ultrasound along with a message in both English and Japanese. “Can’t wait to get back on the court but here’s a little life update for 2023,” the caption read.
In the note, Naomi delves deeper into how she generally feels about this time in her life and opens up about tennis and her baby. “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. 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,” she wrote.
“I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I’m looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, ‘That’s my mom,’ haha,” she continued elsewhere in the sweet reflection. I truly should not be this emotional on a Wednesday afternoon, but here we are!
Naomi’s Boyfriend Is a Grammy Nominee
In other words, they’re both at the top of their game. Naomi is also super supportive of Cordae, and during the release of his second album, From a Birds Eye View, she wrote on Insta, “Makes you feel like some people are born to do certain things, @cordae you’re a star and a light, quite literally brighten up every room you walk in (or maybe it’s your hair lol). Congratulations on your 2nd album, proud of you.” S’cute!
Cordae and Naomi Intentionally Keep Things Low-Key
Cordae opened up about their relationship—and the decision to keep things (mostly) private—to GQ, saying, “We were dating for almost a year before people knew about us. 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.”
Meanwhile, Naomi said Cordae was super supportive during the 2020 U.S. Open, explaining, “During the whole New York thing and with everything that was going on, I started to feel really depressed. Sometimes I would call Cordae, and maybe in some of the calls I would cry. I don’t remember. And he flew out, even though he was really busy. I really appreciated that. I’m not sure if I’ve told him that. I feel like he actually really helped me win, just, like, keeping up the motivation.”
He Recently Launched a Record Label
It’s called Hi Level, and Cordae started it in 2021 after leaving YBN. “I started Hi Level to open the door for other creatives,” he said during an interview with the Recording Academy. “Hi Level is a record label, but it’s also a way of life—a mantra, if you would. I always say that everything I do, I must do it at the highest level that I’m capable of. So when I see Hi Level, it’s sort of a reminder of that and what it represents. Allowing creatives—and even non-creatives, just anybody from any walk of life—allowing them to have that mentality or reminding them to have that mentality.”
Music Is Like Therapy to Him
Cordae also told the Recording Academy that writing songs is “therapy for me,” especially when it comes to difficult topics like the loss of his grandmother and close friend.
