Naomi Osaka has always been one to wear her heart on her sleeve, whether she’s battling it out on the court or navigating the highs and lows of life off of it. But recently, it seems the Japanese tennis sensation has been facing more than her fair share of challenges. From unexpected outcomes in her career to an emotional twist in her personal life, Osaka is in the midst of a tough chapter. And now, she’s dropped yet another bombshell—she and her long-time partner, American rapper Cordae, have officially parted ways.

The Japanese tennis sensation played her latest match at the finals of the ASB Classic, where she remained in a dominant form throughout. However, despite winning the first set in the finals against Clara Tauson, she decided to withdraw from the match owing to abdominal issues. As if that heartbreak was not enough for the player, she now took to her Instagram account to reveal that she and Cordae are no longer together. 

Penning an emotional note, Osaka wrote, “Hi everyone, just wanted to say that Cordae and I are no longer in a relationship.” However, she clarified that the decision did not leave her with any hatred. “No bad blood at all, he’s a great person and an awesome dad. 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. But what caught our attention further was the kind of reaction that came from the American singer. 

Soon after Osaka’s announcement, Cordae made a post on his Instagram story. But guess what? It was not related to their split. He shared a video of a discussion on Tik Tok channel @unpluggedopinions that revolved around his album, The Crossroads. Captioning it, he wrote, “Lil bro knows ball,” expressing his admiration for a young boy who lauded the album. This, meanwhile, is quite surprising given the romantic relationship he has shared with Osaka.

For the unversed, the Japanese tennis star and the American rapper started their journey together in 2019. In 2023, they welcomed their daughter Shai and have often been seen supporting and cheering each other. Be it Cordae’s presence during Osaka’s tennis match, or Osaka gushing over the rapper over his music, the duo set up several Couple Goals over the years. However, things have taken a surprising turn now and Cordae’s reaction is further raising eyebrows.

Meanwhile, there is yet another challenge looming large for Naomi Osaka, and it’s about her participation in the Australian Open. 

Naomi Osaka’s injury raises concern about her Australian Open campaign

Naomi Osaka’s exit from Auckland was accompanied by concerns. Several people questioned her fitness levels and her ability to compete at the upcoming Australian Open. Adding to these concerns, Osaka’s coach, Patrick Mouratoglou took to Instagram to share his thoughts alongside a photo of both players with their trophies, which further fueled discussions about Osaka’s campaign. 

Sharing his thoughts on the tournament, Mouratoglou wrote, “Great week preparation and great tournament @naomiosaka. Unfortunate ending and we cross fingers that it is not too bad. Congratulations to @claratauson for a very good week. #tennis #tennisplayer #naomi.” However, Osaka has revealed that she is feeling optimistic about her Australian Open participation. 

“I’m having an MRI today to assess. I don’t feel that it’s too serious, and I still feel very optimistic about AO,” she said about her abdominal injury. Now, with another heartbreak in her personal life, it will be crucial to see if Osaka will remain emotionally and physically motivated to compete in the tournament.