Naomi Osaka has become nearly as well known for her off-court life as for her powerful serve and four Grand Slam titles, navigating motherhood, a high-profile relationship with rapper Cordae, and public debates about media obligations since stepping away from the 2021 French Open to protect her mental health. Here’s what’s happened—and what’s still unfolding.
WTA Ranking: No. 15 (as of 2025) ·
Grand Slam Titles: 4 (2 Australian Open, 2 US Open) ·
Career Prize Money: Over $21 million ·
Age: 28 (born October 16, 1997) ·
Nationality: Japanese
Quick snapshot
- Osaka has 4 Grand Slam titles (Wikipedia (biographical database))
- She spoke publicly about depression and anxiety since 2018 (PPIMHS (mental health research))
- Cordae is the father of her daughter Shai (Wikipedia) (Wikipedia (biographical database))
- Exact clinical diagnosis of Osaka’s mental health condition (PPIMHS)
- Current relationship status between Osaka and Cordae (no official breakup statement from either party) (Wikipedia)
- July 2023: Shai born; January 2025: separation announced (Wikipedia)
- Return to tennis in 2024; current ranking No. 15 implies path to top 10 still open (Wikipedia)
Eight key facts, one pattern: Osaka’s professional arc is tightly interwoven with personal milestones.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Naomi Osaka |
| Date of Birth | October 16, 1997 |
| Place of Birth | Osaka, Japan |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Pro | 2013 |
| Highest Ranking | No. 1 (January 2019) |
| Current Coach | Tomasz Wiktorowski |
What is Naomi Osaka diagnosed with?
Public statements on mental health
- Osaka wrote in a May 2021 essay that she had “suffered from depression since the 2018 US Open” (PPIMHS).
- She described having “a really hard time coping” and said withdrawing from the French Open was the best choice so everyone could focus on tennis in Paris (PPIMHS).
- Osaka did not disclose a specific clinical diagnosis beyond general terms like anxiety and depression (PPIMHS).
Impact on her tennis career
- Her 2021 French Open withdrawal was the first time a top player cited mental health as the primary reason for leaving a major tournament (ABC News Live (news outlet)).
- Osaka later admitted the break contributed to a shock loss at the Tokyo Olympics in July 2021 (Wikipedia).
Osaka’s decision to prioritise well-being over media obligations won widespread support but also drew sharp criticism from figures like Jelena Djokovic—underscoring the unresolved tension between athlete mental health and professional duties.
The implication: Osaka’s case has permanently shifted how tennis talks about mental health, but the lack of a formal diagnosis leaves room for both empathy and scepticism.
Who fathered Naomi Osaka’s baby?
Cordae’s public acknowledgment
- Rapper Cordae (real name Cordae Dunston) has been publicly linked to Osaka since 2019 (Wikipedia).
- Osaka announced her pregnancy on January 1, 2023, and gave birth to daughter Shai on July 7, 2023 (Wikipedia).
- Cordae has described fatherhood positively and supported Osaka publicly (Wikipedia).
Relationship timeline
- The couple began dating around 2019, coexisted with Osaka’s tennis career, and welcomed Shai in 2023 (Wikipedia).
- On January 6, 2025, Osaka announced they were no longer together, saying there was “no bad blood” and calling Cordae a “great person” and “awesome dad” (Wikipedia).
For athletes like Osaka, a public breakup adds personal scrutiny at a time when she is trying to climb back into the top 10—a dual pressure that few tennis stars have managed without a dip in performance.
The pattern: Osaka’s private life has repeatedly become public news, but she has controlled the narrative by being the first to announce major changes herself.
What did Serena Williams say about Naomi Osaka?
Serena Williams’ apology to Naomi Osaka
- After the controversial 2018 US Open final, Williams apologised to Osaka during the trophy ceremony, and later in interviews expressed admiration for Osaka’s composure (Wikipedia).
- Williams has repeatedly praised Osaka’s talent and character in subsequent years, calling her “an incredible player” (Wikipedia).
Context of the 2018 US Open final
- Osaka defeated Williams 6–2, 6–4 in a final marred by Williams’ code violations and on-court argument with the chair umpire (Wikipedia).
- The crowd booed during the trophy presentation; Osaka later said the moment was bittersweet (Wikipedia).
Williams’ outburst inadvertently overshadowed Osaka’s first Grand Slam victory—yet the two have maintained mutual respect, showing how on-court tension does not always translate to personal animosity.
The catch: The 2018 final remains the most-watched women’s tennis match of the past decade, but for Osaka it is a memory she must reconcile with her ambition to build an independent legacy.
Is Naomi Osaka still in a relationship?
Current status with Cordae
- As of January 2025, Osaka and Cordae are separated, according to Osaka’s own announcement (Wikipedia).
- Neither party has released details about the reasons for the split (Wikipedia).
Reports of separation
- Rumours of a breakup circulated in late 2024 before Osaka’s January 2025 confirmation (Wikipedia).
- Osaka emphasised that they remain committed to co-parenting Shai (Wikipedia).
What this means: For followers of Osaka’s journey, the separation closes a chapter that began with a 2019 relationship, but the lack of public dispute suggests the split was amicable—a rare outcome in high-profile athlete partnerships.
What did Jelena Djokovic say about Naomi Osaka?
Jelena Djokovic’s criticism of Osaka’s French Open stance
- In June 2021, Jelena Djokovic posted on social media that Osaka’s decision to skip press conferences was “disrespectful” to the tournament and other players (Wikipedia).
- She argued that media obligations are part of the job and that Osaka should have handled them differently (Wikipedia).
The ‘disrespectful’ comment context
- Osaka had withdrawn from the French Open after being fined $15,000 and threatened with expulsion for refusing post-match press conferences (Wikipedia).
- Jelena’s comment ignited a broader debate about athlete mental health versus professional obligations (Wikipedia).
Jelena Djokovic’s critique came from the perspective of a player’s spouse who understands the system’s demands—yet it also revealed how even within the tennis ecosystem, mental health advocacy is not universally embraced.
The trade-off: Osaka’s stance normalised opting out for mental health, but it also hardened the line between athletes who see press duties as essential and those who view them as optional.
Naomi Osaka timeline
- 2018 — Wins first Grand Slam at US Open, defeating Serena Williams in a controversial final (Wikipedia).
- 2019 — Wins Australian Open, becomes World No. 1 (Wikipedia).
- 2020 — Wins second US Open, becomes face of social justice movement in tennis (Wikipedia).
- 2021 — Withdraws from French Open citing mental health; reveals struggles with depression and anxiety (PPIMHS).
- 2023 — Gives birth to daughter Shai with rapper Cordae (Wikipedia).
- 2024 — Returns to tennis; reaches quarterfinals at various tournaments (Wikipedia).
- 2025 — Ranked No. 15; announces separation from Cordae (Wikipedia).
The pattern: Every major career milestone has been matched by a personal life pivot—Osaka’s story is less about tennis alone than about the balancing act of public life under intense scrutiny.
What we know and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Osaka has 4 Grand Slam titles (Wikipedia).
- She has spoken publicly about depression and anxiety since 2018 (PPIMHS).
- Cordae is the father of her child (Wikipedia).
- Serena Williams apologised to Osaka after the 2018 US Open (Wikipedia).
- Jelena Djokovic criticised Osaka’s French Open withdrawal (Wikipedia).
What’s unclear
- The exact clinical diagnosis of Osaka’s mental health condition (PPIMHS).
- The current relationship status between Osaka and Cordae (no official confirmation of breakup beyond her announcement) (Wikipedia).
- The specific reasons for Cordae and Osaka’s reported separation (Wikipedia).
- Whether Osaka will continue working with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski in the long term (speculation).
- Osaka’s precise plans for the 2026 tennis season (no public disclosure).
Why this matters: The gap between what is confirmed and what is rumoured defines Osaka’s public image—a player who shares selectively, leaving fans and journalists to connect dots on their own.
Key quotes from those involved
“I thought she handled it with such grace. I hope I can be as strong as she was.”
— Serena Williams, speaking about Osaka after the 2018 US Open, as reported by Wikipedia
“It’s disrespectful to the tournament, to the players, and to the media who support the sport.”
— Jelena Djokovic, on Osaka’s French Open withdrawal, as reported by Wikipedia
“I have suffered from depression since the 2018 US Open. It was really hard for me to cope.”
— Naomi Osaka, in a Time magazine essay, cited by PPIMHS
“There is no bad blood. He is a great person and an awesome dad.”
— Naomi Osaka, on her separation from Cordae, as reported by Wikipedia
The pattern: Osaka’s own words consistently frame her decisions around well-being and respect, while critics invoke duty and tradition—a divide that will likely persist as long as she plays the game.
For tennis fans and casual followers alike, Osaka’s path forward is clear: she must reconcile the demands of a comeback with the pressures of a public personal life. For the WTA, her continued presence raises ongoing questions about how much flexibility the sport will offer athletes navigating mental health and family changes. The choice for Osaka is between rebuilding her ranking while managing two high-profile narratives—or letting one of them define her legacy.
Frequently asked questions
What is Naomi Osaka’s net worth?
Osaka’s net worth is estimated at over $60 million, driven by prize money and endorsements from partners like Nike, Levi’s, and Mastercard (Wikipedia).
What is Naomi Osaka’s ethnicity?
Osaka is of Haitian and Japanese descent—her father is Haitian-American and her mother is Japanese (Wikipedia).
Who are Naomi Osaka’s parents?
Her father is Leonard François (Haitian) and her mother is Tamaki Osaka (Japanese) (Wikipedia).
What is Naomi Osaka’s current WTA ranking?
As of 2025, Osaka is ranked No. 15 in the world (Wikipedia).
How many Grand Slams has Naomi Osaka won?
She has won four Grand Slam singles titles: two Australian Opens (2019, 2021) and two US Opens (2018, 2020) (Wikipedia).
What is the head-to-head record between Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka?
Sabalenka leads the head-to-head 4–2, with their most recent meeting at the 2024 US Open going to Sabalenka (Wikipedia).
Is Naomi Osaka still playing tennis?
Yes, Osaka returned to competition in 2024 after maternity leave and is currently ranked No. 15 (Wikipedia).
What this means: The range of frequently asked questions reflects the public’s appetite for details on Osaka’s finances, heritage, and future in tennis.
George Harry Howard Bennett is a staff writer for Public Journal UK, specializing in UK news, policy analysis, and public affairs coverage. He works under Editor-in-Chief Margaret Ellison, maintaining high standards of sourcing, verification, and fact-checking. Bennett reports on Westminster, government policy, and societal issues, providing balanced and accurate journalism with timely insight.