Cordae Isn't Naomi Osaka's Husband, He's Her Partner: A Relationship Guide

Naomi Osaka, one of the most prominent names in tennis, has dominated the courts with her Grand Slam wins and advocacy for mental health. Off the court, however, her relationship with American rapper Cordae has captivated fans just as much. If you've ever looked up "Naomi Osaka husband" on the web, you'll know that she isn't married, but she's been in a relationship with Cordae since 2019.

Together, they welcomed their first child in July 2023, further deepening their journey as partners and now, as parents​. While the couple is fairly private when it comes to their love life, here's what we know about their relationship together so far.

Is Naomi Osaka married?

• Naomi Osaka is not married, but she is dating Cordae. They've been public about their relationship since 2019, but it's possible they were together for around a year beforehand.
• Naomi Osaka and Cordae first met at a Los Angeles Clippers game, where they shared their first date.
• Naomi Osaka and Cordae have one child together, a baby girl named Shai.

In this article:

• Is Naomi Osaka married?
• Who is Naomi Osaka's Boyfriend, Cordae?
• How Naomi Osaka and Cordae Met
• Naomi Osaka and Cordae's Relationship Timeline
• Naomi Osaka and Cordae's Children

Who is Naomi Osaka's Boyfriend, Cordae?

Cordae, whose full name is Cordae Amari Brooks, is a Grammy-nominated rapper from North Carolina. He rose to prominence with his album The Lost Boy in 2019, which debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200. Cordae has also been vocal about racial justice issues, having participated in protests for the Black Lives Matter movement. He's also a supportive partner to Osaka, often seen cheering her on during matches.

How Naomi Osaka and Cordae Met

According to a story from InStyle, the couple's story began at a Los Angeles Clippers game when the pair were 26 years old. In a February 2021 interview with GQ, Osaka recalled how their first date unfolded, with the two struggling to find each other in the large stadium. "We were on FaceTime trying to find each other because the arena was so big," she said. "And I just remember seeing that there were so many people who wanted to take a picture with him. And I just thought it was really cool how friendly and welcoming he was with everyone."

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This marked the start of their low-key relationship, which they have largely kept private, despite both being in the public eye.

Naomi Osaka and Cordae's Relationship Timeline

April 2019: Dating rumors are sparked

Naomi Osaka and Cordae first sparked dating rumors when the tennis player posted a playful video of them together on Instagram. Though not confirmed at the time, fans began speculating that the two were romantically linked.

July 2019: Cordae confirms his relationship with Naomi Osaka

Cordae publicly confirmed their relationship during an interview with HOT 97. He admitted that they had kept it private for some time but felt it was important to acknowledge his relationship with Osaka, stating, "That's my girl."

In their interview with GQ, Cordae elaborated on their decision to keep things low-key at first. "We were dating for almost a year before people knew about us," he said. "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."

August 2019: Cordae supports Naomi Osaka at the US Open

Cordae, along with Colin Kaepernick and the late Kobe Bryant, was spotted cheering on Osaka at the US Open.

December 2019: The couple's first official public appearance

Their first official public appearance as a couple came at a Los Angeles Clippers game, a nod to their first date at the same venue earlier that year. Photographed courtside, the couple looked cozy watching the game together.

September 2020: Cordae supports Naomi Osaka during the US Open

During the 2020 US Open, Cordae was once again spotted supporting Osaka from the stands.

February 2021: The couple participates in a joint GQ cover and interview

Osaka and Cordae appeared together in GQ's Modern Lovers issue and opened up about their relationship's foundations of privacy and mutual respect. This interview revealed a lot about their dynamic—Cordae discussed how they prefer to keep intimate moments private and Osaka expressed her admiration for Cordae's romantic side.

September 2021: Naomi Osaka and Cordae make their Met Gala debut

Osaka, who co-chaired the event, and Cordae attended the Met Gala together on September 13, 2021. According to reports by People, Osaka rocked a custom Louis Vuitton outfit while Cordae was dressed in a custom Coach design.

January 2023: Naomi Osaka is expecting

On January 11, 2023, Osaka shared news that she and Cordae were expecting a baby.

July 2023: Naomi Osaka and Cordae welcome their first child

Naomi Osaka and Cordae welcomed their daughter, Shai, in July 2023.

September 2023: Rumors that the couple split circulate

Rumors that the couple had split up sparked across the internet after Osaka deleted her Instagram photos with Cordae. A story by People highlighted a few cryptic messages she posted that led some to believe they parted ways, but there was never any confirmation.

December 2023: Osaka opens up about her journey into motherhood

In a 2023 interview with InStyle, Osaka discussed her journey into motherhood and her plans to return to tennis after a 15-month hiatus. She opened up about the challenges of pregnancy, childbirth and her experience as a new mother to Shai. She reflected on balancing motherhood with her career, her evolving self-confidence and her renewed drive to excel in tennis. She also touched on her advocacy for mental health, social justice and her expanding entrepreneurial ventures.

She also mentioned that parenting with Cordae had been easy so far. "We built a really good foundation," she said. "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."

Naomi Osaka and Cordae's Children

Naomi Osaka and Cordae became parents to a baby girl, Shai, in July 2023. Though they've kept their family life mostly private, Osaka has shared tidbits here and there.

In a 2023 interview with ESPN, Osaka explained why the couple chose to name their daughter Shai: "Shai means God's gift. I wanted her to feel like she was a gift to me and her dad," she said.