Who is Naomi Osaka’s Boyfriend, YBN Cordae? Here’s What We Know About the Tennis Champ’s Relationship
At just 26-years-old, Naomi Osaka has won four Grand Slams and made history as the first Asian player to rank number one in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association. Simply put, Osaka is at the top of her game, and her boyfriend, YBN Cordae, has been cheering her on the entire time.
If, like us, you've been keeping up with Osoaka's social media page, then you've probably noticed Cordae pop up on her feed—along with their daughter, Shai, who was born in 2023. This makes us all the more curious about their relationship. For instance, how did they meet? And when did they start dating? Here’s what we know about Naomi Osaka's boyfriend.
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1. Who Is Naomi Osaka's Boyfriend, YBN Cordae?
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Cordae (born Cordae Amari Dunston) is a Grammy Award-nominated rapper, singer, and songwriter who’s best known for remixing popular songs. Though the rapper was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, he moved to Suitland, Maryland, and quickly developed a passion for hip-hop.
After taking on songwriting and rapping as hobbies for several years, he started to pursue a serious career in music and joined the YBN collective in 2018. However, the group has since disbanded.
In July 2019, Cordae released his debut studio album, The Lost Boy, which peaked at #6 on Billboard's Top Rap Albums Chart and received a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. Since then, he released his second studio album, From a Birds Eye View, in January 2022. The album featured guest artists like Gunna, Lil Wayne, H.E.R., Lil Durk, Freddie Gibbs, Stevie Wonder, Eminem and Roddy Ricch.
In addition to his successful artistic endeavors, Cordae is also an incredibly supportive partner, having stood by Osaka during her very public mental health journey. During the 2020 U.S. Open, the musician cleared his schedule and flew to New York to quarantine with her after she told him she was "feeling sad and lonely in the bubble," Osaka wrote in a now-deleted Instagram post. (The tennis champ notably refused press interviews at the 2021 French Open, saying she was prioritizing her mental health.)
But aside from the occasional social media post, the duo prefer to keep their relationship under wraps, with Cordae telling GQ, "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."
2. When Did Osaka And Cordae Start Dating?
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Osaka and Cordae were first romantically linked to each other in 2019. In July of 2019, Cordae appeared on Hot 97’s Ebro In The Morning and confirmed their relationship.
He explained that when he first approached her during a Los Angeles Clippers game, he wasn't aware of her tennis stardom. He admitted, “I didn’t even know who she was,” adding that the only player he was familiar with was Serena Williams. However, after he got to know her, he developed an interest in the sport and has been supporting her ever since.
3. When Did They Become Instagram Official?
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It looks like they made their Instagram debut in 2019. Cordae's earliest post with Osaka dates back to October of 2019, where he uploaded a clip of himself driving with Osaka as he rapped along to a song. The post has since been deleted (and she no longer shares photos of the two of them), but in the caption, he included a birthday tribute that read, "Happy Bday to my lil Supahstar [party emoji] @naomiosaka, you inspire me in more ways than you know. Happy to have a real one [heart emoji]."
Meanwhile, Osaka's earliest pic with Cordae was shared on Valentine's Day. She posted a sweet video of Cordae sneaking up behind her on an escalator and wrote, "Happy Valentine’s Day or whatever."
4. Who Has Osaka Dated In The Past?
This actually marks the tennis player's first public relationship. And as for Cordae, he also hasn't publicly dated anyone before he started his relationship with Osaka.
Judging by their now-deleted romantic Instagram snaps and videos, it's clear that the two are very in love—and we couldn't be happier for them.
5. Do Osaka and Cordae Have Children?
Yes! Cordae and the Grand Slam champion share a baby girl, Shai. Osaka first announced the pregnancy on Instagram in January 2023. She posted a photo of a baby sonogram on her page and wrote in the caption, “Can’t wait to get back on the court but here’s a little life update for 2023.”
Shai arrived in July 2023 after a stressful labor and delivery, Osaka recounted to InStyle. Now, she and Cordae have settled into parenting together. "We built a really good foundation,” she tells the outlet. "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."
Wishing Naomi and Cordae so much happiness as they enter this new chapter in their lives!
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