Naomi Osaka is seen for the first time after splitting with the father of her child – and there’s more VERY bad news coming her way
Naomi Osaka looked focused as she returned to Melbourne Park on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Australian Open.
It was the first time she had been seen publicly since the American tennis star announced on Sunday evening that she and her long-time partner Cordae were ‘no longer in a relationship’.
The couple started dating in 2019 and welcomed their daughter, Shai, in the summer of 2023.
Osaka said on her Instagram that there was “no bad blood at all” between the pair, adding that Cordae was “an amazing person and a great father.”
“Honestly, I’m really glad our paths crossed because my daughter is my greatest blessing and I have been able to grow a lot through our experiences together.”
Cordae, 27, is an American rapper and song writer from North Carolina. He is signed to Atlantic Records and is said to have met Osaka at a Los Angeles Clippers game.
Naomi Osaka was seen for the first time since revealing that she and her longtime partner Cordae had split
Osaka and Cordae had been together since 2019 and had welcomed a daughter together in 2023
Osaka returned to Melbourne Park on Thursday for a practice session ahead of next week’s Australian Open
Osaka, meanwhile, had a very good start to the year and reached the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland, but unfortunately had to retire due to injury.
The 27-year-old is looking to win her fifth slam, having also captured the 2020 and 2018 US Open women’s singles titles, and looked focused during a practice session on Thursday.
Osaka and her coach Patrick Mouratoglou stepped onto the courts at Melbourne Park as Osaka went through several practice sessions and worked on several different shots.
She and Mouratoglou were deep in discussion about one aspect of her game before the pair smiled on the pitch.
And Osaka generally seemed to be in good form despite this weekend’s news, with the two-time US Open champion grinning and laughing on the court.
However, there were times when she looked slightly frustrated with her play, turning to Mouratoglou and appearing to frown at the famous French tennis coach.
Osaka withdrew from the 2023 Australian Open after announcing that she and Cordae were expecting their baby, Shai. She would take a break from tennis and Osaka would return at the 2024 Brisbane International.
In the past year, Osaka reached two quarterfinals but failed to progress beyond the third round of any of the four majors, most notably when she was defeated by Caroline Garcia in the opening round of the 2024 Australian Open.
She shared the news of the breakup with fans by posting a statement on her Instagram page
The 27-year-old has looked in excellent form despite withdrawing from the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland last week with an injury
But despite the news of her split from her partner, Osaka seemed to enjoy her court session
The four-time Grand Slam winner was speaking to her coach Patrick Mouratoglou, but she will face Caroline Garcia in the opening round, with Garcia beating her in 2023.
But despite impressing in Auckland last week, Osaka faces an equally tough road to the finals this year and will face Garcia again.
This time, Osaka will be hoping to get revenge on the French star, but a potentially tough draw awaits.
She will face the winner of Nadia Podoroska’s fight against No. 20 Karolina Muchova if she qualifies, and could then face either Belinda Bencic or 16th seed Jelena Ostapenko in the third round.
Should she get past those opponents, Osaka could set up a potential All-US tie against Coco Gauff or Sofia Kenin in the fourth round.
However, Osaka has shown that she is back in form after her performances at the ASB Classic and China Open.
On Sunday she thanked her team, family and friends for their support during the difficult time.
“All jokes aside, I just want to say a big thank you to my team and everyone close to me for having my back and keeping me sane (although that’s debatable LOL), I’m really really grateful,” wrote them after the ASB Classic on Threads.
“And I would really like to thank my friends around the world (I think it’s a disservice to say fans). I’ve always said that it feels like we’re on this journey together and I really hope you have as much fun as I do.”