Naomi Osaka Slams Double Standards About Athletic Motherhood

Naomi Osaka is a contemporary tennis great. At 25 years old, she is a four-time Grand Slam champion and spent 25 weeks in 2019 as the world number one. However, she has made her impact felt beyond tennis. Osaka has been open about her struggles with mental health and the importance of prioritizing yourself. She has been a shining example of a socially-conscious and socially-active athlete in a turbulent modern world.

In January 2023, Osaka announced that she was pregnant with her first child. Withdrawing from tennis for the rest of the year, Osaka expressed her hope to return in time for the 2024 Australian Open. However, of course, being a visible woman in sport, Osaka has had to bear the brunt of the industry’s deep-rooted misogyny.

“Not Trying To Make This A Male And Female Thing But Fr”

“Btw to the people that are suddenly concerned about my career- There are plenty of male athletes with kids that are significantly less accomplished, you might wanna worry about them instead. Thanks for the concern, might wanna redirect it to someone that needs it though 😬.” Osaka tweeted on May 12. She was primarily responding to comments that a woman must be either an athlete or a mother. Despite that being complete bullshit, it’s a sadly common sentiment. This is despite, as Osaka notes, “There are plenty of male athletes with kids that are significantly less accomplished.”

Osaka followed the tweet up with a second, “Not trying to make this a male and female thing but let’s be fr.” The comments were overwhelmingly positive, wishing Osaka well in her pregnancy and hoping to see her back on the court in due course. However, if Osaka was to leave tennis, that would be perfectly valid. Her biggest rival, Ash Barty, abruptly retired in March 2022. The world number one at the time, Barty was forthcoming about her retiring. “I don’t have the physical drive, the emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top of the level any more. I am spent.” However, we wish Osaka all the best going forwards, both in family and tennis matters.

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Cordae & Naomi Osaka: Their Love Story

Cordae and Naomi Osaka are a true power couple—a match made in Hip Hop and sports heaven. As their relationship blossoms in the limelight, we witness the lives of two stars at the pinnacle of their fields. Although their romance surprised their fans, these days, the pair of superstars are deemed “Couple Goals.” They’ve been relatively clandestine with their relationship, but ever so often, Cordae and Naomi offer a rare glimpse into their long-lasting love story.

We’re looking back at the development of this pairing, from their early days conquering the charts and tennis courts to the serendipitous moment that brought them together. We’ll also delve into their tireless support for each other’s careers and the exciting news that they are expecting their first child together. Read on to learn more about the couple that is taking over.

Climbing To The Top

Cordae quickly made a name for himself in Hip Hop with his crew’s debut mixtape, YBN: The Mixtape, released in 2018. He stood out within YBN, hosting members YBN Nahmir and YBN Almighty Jay. It didn’t take long for Cordae to reimagine his career, resulting in him leaving his YBN moniker behind. However, he maintained that his relationships with his friends were solid. It was a lucrative move, as his 2019 debut studio album, The Lost Boy, earned Cordae two Grammy Award nominations.

Meanwhile, Naomi Osaka’s meteoric rise in the world of tennis began in 2013 when the then-teen turned pro. She quickly gained a reputation for her powerful serve, determination, and skills, outlasting her icons on the court. With her first Grand Slam title at the 2018 US Open and multiple championships since then, including the Australian Open and the US Open again in 2020, Osaka has cemented her status as a tennis powerhouse. In 2021, after an emotional battle, she defeated Serena Williams in the United States Open Finals.

When Stars Align: How Cordae & Naomi Met

When the world learned of Noami and Cordae’s relationship, the rapper revealed they had been dating for some time. They needed to maintain some privacy—and a sense of normalcy—so they kept the romance to themselves. Despite their busy schedules and career demands, the couple managed to stay in touch and nurture their budding romance.

You can often see them at one another’s events. Cordae has been photographed in the stands as he watched Osaka take home one trophy after another. She returns the favor, supporting his live shows and tours. In a 2020 interview with GQ, Cordae gushed about his admiration for his girlfriend. He said, “I can’t really be with someone who doesn’t have any substance or doesn’t act or think on the same frequency and wavelength as I do.”

A New Chapter: Baby On Board!

Fans of the power couple were thrilled when Cordae and Naomi announced they were expecting their first child together. The news broke on social media, with the couple sharing a photo of a sonogram to make their big announcement. Their excitement and love for each other were palpable as they shared their journey towards parenthood. Again, this is a couple that doesn’t flaunt what goes on behind the scenes. However, Naomi recently shared a few photos with her growing baby bum pon display. It’s unclear when the baby’s arrival will be, but the couple’s supporters can’t wait to deliver more well wishes.

Cordae and Naomi Osaka’s love story shows two stars at the top of their respective fields, brought together by fate, and united by their shared passion for excellence.

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Cordae Doesn’t Want His Child To Be A Rapper

Naomi Osaka and Cordae are expecting their first child together, and the rapper recently expressed that he doesn’t want them to follow in his stead. In fact, he made some kind of harsh (but not really) statements on the latest episode of “The Shop,” which also featured Rich Paul and Druski. During that conversation, he called rapping “the most looked-down-upon profession,” but admitted that he’d be a hypocrite if his child told him that they aspire to be an MC. However, he still expressed excitement for the little one’s arrival, who the tennis star announced in January comes more than three years after they confirmed their romance.

“I’m not gon’ lie,” the Maryland-based artist began. “Unless they are dead nice at making records, unless I hear a hit or just good music or real talent… In my opinion, if I don’t hear talent, I could be a hypocrite. I could be like ‘nah.’ Imma heavily advise against it.” What’s more is that this sentiment might be similar to, say, your dad who’s a lawyer begging you to steer clear of law school. Still, given rap is a more creative profession, but a job nonetheless, many conflated his wishes as wanting to strike down creative dreams. That being said, the 25-year-old likely has a unique perspective on the game and on said career path that critics of his viewpoint will likely never experience.

Cordae Wouldn’t Want His Child To Be A Rapper

Despite that context, Steve Stoute still had some light pushback, mentioning that rappers who Cordae doesn’t like are still outselling him. While neither named specific MCs, the “RNP” lyricist said that he’s been wrong before, although it’s not necessarily related to the topic of his child being a rapper. Regardless, it still shows that his mind could change on that. They eventually tied both together when Cordae joked that his child would lose their “first investor” as a rapper if they criticized his music. Druski actually started the conversation on careers, speaking on his family’s reaction to his pursuit of a comedy career.

Moreover, he said that his mother and grandmother were against his choice to leave college, which eventually made him blossom into one of the most successful comedians working today. “It took time,” he shared. “And, you know, I think they just had to understand what the dream was and that I was really attached to it and I really wanted to pursue it. Same with rapping.” Time will tell if Cordae’s career changes his perspective on his child’s hypothetical rap aspirations- or if it confirms it. However you may feel about that, check out the full episode above and come back to HNHH for the latest news and updates on Cordae.

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Naomi Osaka Shows Off Baby Bump In New Photos

Naomi Osaka is one of the biggest tennis players in the entire world. Overall, she is a champion in the women’s circuit and has even defeated legends like Serena Williams. Although, in the last couple of years, Osaka has struggled to maintain consistency. That said, tennis is probably the last thing on Osaka’s mind as she is currently pregnant. This will be her and Cordae’s very first child, and there is no denying that they are both excited about this new bundle of joy.

For the most part, Osaka has stayed out of the public eye over the last few months. Naomi Osaka announced her pregnancy in January, and since then, we haven’t heard too much from her. Recently, however, that changed as the tennis superstar took to Instagram with some images from a trip to Japan. In the photos below, you can see Osaka’s baby bump. Clearly, she has no issues with showing it off now as she continues to get farther along in her pregnancy.

Naomi Osaka Reveals Pregnancy Progress

“The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that its the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun. These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to,” Osaka wrote at the time of her initial announcement. “I realize that life is so short and I don’t take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure. 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.”

Pregnancy is certainly no easy task, however, Osaka seems to be doing well for herself right now. Hopefully, this proves to be a relaxing time for the tennis star, especially as it pertains to the anxieties surrounding her career. It seemed like tennis wasn’t fun for her in the months leading up to her pregnancy. That said, having a child could very well give Naomi a whole new lease on life, and tennis.

Hip-Hop Couples That Make People Believe In Love Again: Rihanna & A$AP, Moneybagg Yo & Ari + More

SOHH In Love

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, SOHH spotlights couples we love seeing in love. From celebrity crushes turned relationships to cooking couples like Moneybagg and Ari — everyone is SOHH in love, and we love it! SOHH, it’s Valentine’s Day, and we couldn’t celebrate without spotlighting our favorite hip-hop couples we can’t stop gushing about! Yo […]

The post Hip-Hop Couples That Make People Believe In Love Again: Rihanna & A$AP, Moneybagg Yo & Ari + More appeared first on SOHH.com.

Cordae’s Fans Don’t Think He Will Have To Rap Again After Naomi Osaka’s Pregnancy Announcement

As Uproxx’s October 2022 cover star, Cordae teased his next project. “I wouldn’t compare it to anything, but it’s going to be vulnerable, bro,” the 25-year-old rapper (and TED Talk speaker) said. Cordae is definitely in for his most incomparable, vulnerable chapter yet, but it has nothing to do with his discography.

Naomi Osaka, the tennis great whom Cordae has been dating since 2019, announced today, January 11, that she’s expecting her first child. (She withdrew from the Australian Open earlier this week.)

“The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that its the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun,” Osaka, 25, wrote on Instagram alongside an ultrasound. “These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to. I realize that life is so short and I don’t take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure. 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.

The four-time grand slam champion continued, “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. Sidenote : I don’t think there’s a perfectly correct path to take in life but I always felt that if you move forward with good intentions you’ll find your way eventually.”

Cordae has yet to comment, but his fans are taking it upon themselves to handle the public celebration. The three-time Grammy nominee is trending on Twitter because of the hilarious reactions. And while Cordae was teasing new music just months ago, some fans are questioning whether he will rap again after this news.

See some of the best tweets below.

Cordae is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Tennis Superstar Naomi Osaka Expecting First Baby With Rapper Cordae

Cordae and Naomi

Naomi Osaka says she’s looking forward to her kid seeing her play tennis after sharing she’s expecting her first child with YBN-associated rapper Cordae from Raleigh. They’ve been dating since 2019. Japanese-Haitian tennis star Naomi Osaka is expecting her first baby with Grammy-nominated “Lost Boy” artist Cordae. The four-time Grand Slam tournament winner shared the […]

The post Tennis Superstar Naomi Osaka Expecting First Baby With Rapper Cordae appeared first on SOHH.com.

Naomi Osaka Announces Pregnancy & Shares Ultrasound Photos

Naomi Osaka VS

Congratulations are in order for Naomi Osaka, who recently took to social media to announce her pregnancy. The 25-year-old has been praised as one of the best tennis players in the world, with four Grand Slam championships under her belt.

Osaka took to both Twitter and Instagram early Wednesday morning to share the exciting news, posting a photo of the ultrasound and sharing a heartfelt letter to her fans.

“The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that it’s the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun,” she states. “These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to.”

Earlier this month, Osaka withdrew from the Australian Open, perplexing audiences about why. Her last match took place in September of last year, after withdrawing during the second round of the Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. Her last full match resulted in a first-round loss at the US Open in 2022.

Osaka also revealed she would be taking the entirety of 2023 off from the sport, simultaneously sharing her excitement about becoming a mom.

“I realize that life is so short and I don’t take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure,” Osaka continues. “I know that I have 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. 2023 will be a year full of lessons for me and I hope I’ll see you guys at the start of the next one cause I’ll be at [Australian Open] 2024.”

Osaka is currently dating rapper Cordae, who graced the cover of The Source last year. The lovebirds went public with their relationship back in 2019.

Since Osaka won her first major championship in 2018, she has publicly vocalized why she’s had to step away from the competitive sport, revealing her mental health struggles, including “long bouts of depression.” This followed an incident in August 2021 where Osaka fell victim to the pressures of the media during a mandatory news conference at Roland Garros.

She also adds some words of encouragement: “I don’t think there’s a perfectly correct path to take in life, but I always felt that if you move forward with good intentions, you’ll find your way eventually.” 

And what better way for Osaka to reveal news of becoming a mother then releasing her children’s book called The Way Champs Play? Available on Amazon, the book serves as a “rhythmic celebration of sport and play,” as Osaka shares the essential steps in becoming a true champ. 

According to Forbes, Osaka is the highest-paid female athlete, thanks to her brand deals and sponsorships. Last year, Osaka launched her talent agency alongside longtime agent Stuart Duguid, taking on Nick Kyrgios and Ons Jabeur as clients.

You can see her announcement below.

The post Naomi Osaka Announces Pregnancy & Shares Ultrasound Photos appeared first on The Source.

Cordae Will Soon Join The Ranks Of Rap Dads As Naomi Osaka Announced Her Pregancy

The past few years have seen a slew of top rappers newly touting the joys of parenthood; Big Sean, Cardi B, Drake, J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, and Pusha T have all crossed the threshold, bringing “dad rap” that much closer to being a legit genre. The latest rapper to potentially join those ranks is Cordae, whose girlfriend, tennis superstar Naomi Osaka, just announced her pregnancy on social media. Osaka, who is one of her sport’s highest-paid athletes, posted a photo of an ultrasound, as well as a typed statement. It reads:

The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that its the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun. These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to. I realize that life is so short and I don’t take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure. 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. 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.

Sidenote : I don’t think there’s a perfectly correct path to take in life but I always felt that if you move forward with good intentions you’ll find your way eventually.

Cordae, whose album From A Bird’s Eye View was counted among Uproxx’s Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2022, has yet to make a statement, but as he told Uproxx in his cover story last October, he doesn’t even have most social media apps installed on his phone, so maybe we just have to wait until he finds a good wi-fi connection. In any case, congrats to the couple!

Naomi Osaka Reveals She’s Pregnant

Naomi Osaka has been through a lot over the past couple of years. There have been numerous times in which she has gone home early at major tournaments. Furthermore, she has gone through some injuries that have hampered her ability to play at the highest level.

Overall, it felt like Osaka has been completely fatigued by tennis. She has taken various sabbaticals and it remains to be seen if she can be number one again. However, it seems like the answer to that question won’t be answered anytime soon.

Naomi Osaka of Japan attends the post match interview on Day 2 of the Toray Pan Pacific Open at Ariake Coliseum on September 20, 2022 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Jun Sato/WireImage)

Naomi Osaka Is Pregnant

While taking to Twitter today, Osaka revealed she is pregnant with her and Cordae’s first child. This is fairly shocking news, to say the least. In her message to her fans, Osaka noted she won’t play at all this year. Although she will be back in time for the 2024 Australian Open.

“The past few years have been interesting to say the least, but I find that its the most challenging times in life that may be the most fun. These few months away from the sport has really given me a new love and appreciation for the game I’ve dedicated my life to,” she wrote.

“I realize that life is so short and I don’t take any moments for granted, everyday is a new blessing and adventure. 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.”

Coming back from pregnancy is no easy task. Regardless, Osaka is looking to make it happen, and she certainly has all of the support in the world.

Stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the sports world.

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