Naomi Osaka's Boyfriend, Cordae, Tells Her There's "No Need to Apologize" For Withdrawing from the French Open

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Naomi Osaka's Boyfriend, Cordae, Tells Her There's "No Need to Apologize" For Withdrawing from the French Open

Naomi Osaka is at the top of her game. She just won the Australian Open back in February, securing her fourth grand slam title. And who has been by her side cheering her on through it all? Her boyfriend, rapper Cordae. After an unexpected U.S open Naomi announced that she will be taking a step back from tennis indefinitely and Cordae has been nothing but supportive. Naomi and Cordae are serious couple goals, and Cordae is impressive in his own right. So, if you're like me and you're obsessing over Naomi RN, you'll probably want to learn more about her super supportive bae too. Here's everything you need to know about Cordae.

1. He's supportive.

Naomi announced ahead of the 2021 French Open that she would not be participating in any press during the tournament. "I've often felt that people have no regard for athletes' mental health and this rings very true whenever I see a press conference or partake in one," she wrote in an Instagram post. "I hope the considerable amount that I get fined for this will go towards a mental health charity."

Cordae, of course, was extremely supportive of this decision. He reposted Naomi's message to his Instagram Stories, writing "THE ONE!" above it.

Photo credit: Instagram
Photo credit: Instagram

A few days later, after being fined $15,000 for missing her first press appearance, Naomi announced she would be withdrawing from the tournament.

"The best thing for the tournament, the other players and my well-being is that I withdraw so that everyone can get back to focusing on the tennis going on in Paris," she said in a statement posted to Instagram. "I never wanted to be a distraction and accept that my timing was not ideal and my message could have been clearer. More importantly, I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly."

Cordae was right there, as always, ready to support her. "No need to apologize to ANYBODY!" he commented on the post.

Photo credit: Instagram
Photo credit: Instagram

2. He dropped everything to help her.

Naomi revealed in an "appreciation post" for Cordae that he is as supportive as a partner should be. According to Naomi, while quarantining during the US Open last year, she FaceTimed Cordae and told him she was feeling "sad and lonely"

"I later found out that he hopped on a plane shortly after that call and then quarantined himself for a couple days in a hotel to see me and support," she wrote. O

Naomi also included a video of Cordae's reaction when she won the tournament and his pride for his GF is so evident. If you need me, I'll be watching this vid over and over again.

3. He's from Maryland.

Cordae was born Cordae Dunston and grew up in Suitland, Maryland. He actually used to work at TGI Fridays in Baltimore, though he said in an interview that he didn't like it and knew he was "meant to do something bigger."

4. He's a Grammy-nominated rapper.

Cordae has come a long way from TGI Fridays. In 2019, he was nominated for two Grammys, one for Best Rap Album for his debut album The Lost Boy and one for Best Rap Song for, "Bad Idea."

5. He was in the YBN Crew.

Up until recently, Cordae was actually part of the YBN Collective, which he joined in 2018 when he was 21. While in the group, Cordae went by the name, YBN Cordae. The group, which was formed by YBN Nahmir released YBN: The Mixtape together, before disbanding in 2020 to work on solo projects.

6. He wasn't always a tennis fan.

Cordae revealed to Ebro in the Morning that he met Naomi at a Los Angeles Clippers game. "I didn't even know who she was," he admitted. "I know Serena Williams. When you think about tennis, I just know Serena Williams." Of course, one of the hosts of the radio show pointed out that Naomi has beaten Serena.

According to TMZ Sports, Naomi and Cordae got together around April 2019, though they didn't make a public appearance together until December 2019 when they returned to a Clippers game, this time as a couple.

Photo credit: Allen Berezovsky - Getty Images
Photo credit: Allen Berezovsky - Getty Images

7. But now he is so supportive of her.

It's safe to say that Cordae probably considers himself to be a tennis fan these days, or at least a Naomi fan. The rapper is super supportive of his GF and is constantly posting about her. When she won the 2020 US Open, he was right be her side.

He could also be seen flashing Naomi's three Grand Slam wins after her victory.

8. They love showing off their love on Insta.

These days, Noami and Cordae are always posting about each other on social media and they are seriously too cute.

For Cordae's 23rd birthday in August, Naomi wrote the sweetest message. "I always feel so lucky to be in your life and to be continuously learning from you." she said. "I‘m so grateful that I can talk to you about anything and ask for advice (cause you know I need all the help I can get lol). I love that you lay down and wait for me to go to sleep before you go record. Etc because the list goes on forever... I hope you’re having the best birthday, I’m sad I can’t be there but I’ll make it up to you 😖 happy 23rd, I love you @cordae ❤️."

9. He's an activist.

Naomi has been known to use her platform to support the Black Lives Matter movement and he boyfriend is no different. Back in July, following the killing of Breonna Taylor, Cordae traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to join protestors in a demonstration outside of the Kentucky Attorney General's home. While there, he was arrested, according to the Louisville Courier-Journal, along with 86 other people.

Follow Carolyn on Instagram.

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