Naomi Osaka Begins New Chapter

Tennis star welcomes baby girl with boyfriend Cordae
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 11, 2023 2:20 PM CST
Updated Jul 12, 2023 9:20 AM CDT
Naomi Osaka Shares a 'Little Life Update for 2023'
Naomi Osaka of Japan smiles during her first round match against Camila Osorio of Colombia at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Jan. 17, 2022.   (AP Photo/Simon Baker, File)
UPDATE Jul 12, 2023 9:20 AM CDT

Naomi Osaka is officially a mom. The four-time Grand Slam singles champion has given birth to her first child, a baby girl, in Los Angeles, the Women's Tennis Association announced Tuesday. The 25-year-old revealed her pregnancy in January before calling out sexist criticism of the move to have a child in the midst of a tennis career. She later shared a photo from a princess-themed baby shower. People reports both mother and daughter are "doing well." There's no word yet on a name, though Osaka previously told People that she and boyfriend Cordae were "going for something more unique than traditional." She plans to return to competitive tennis in January.

Jan 11, 2023 2:20 PM CST

Naomi Osaka's break from tennis is going to last a lot longer—but the reason is a happy one. The 25-year-old star announced Wednesday that she's expecting her first child with rapper Cordae and plans to return to tennis for the Australian Open next year, TMZ reports. "Can't wait to get back on the court but here's a little life update for 2023," she tweeted, sharing a picture of a sonogram. "The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that its [sic] the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun," she wrote. "These few months away from the sport has [sic] really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I've dedicated my life to."

Osaka has taken multiple mental health breaks in recent years and hasn't played a competitive game since September, the AP reports. The Guardian reports that before Wednesday's announcement, officials said she had pulled out of this year's Australian Open, sparking concerns she "may not return to the tennis court at all." In her tweet Wednesday, Osaka wrote: "I know that I have so much to look forward to in the future, one thing I'm looking forward to is for my kid to watch one of my matches and tell someone, 'that's my mom,' haha." She added: "2023 will be a year that'll be full of lessons for me and I hope I'll see you guys in the start of the next one cause I'll be at Aus 2024. Love you all infinitely." (More Naomi Osaka stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X