"I don't think I've ever felt this" - Naomi Osaka shares major update on daughter Shai; opens up on motherhood

Naomi Osaka, the Japanese tennis star, has a one-year-old daughter, Shai, with her boyfriend, rapper Cordae. Recently, Osaka shared how becoming a mother has brought her a unique sense of joy.

Osaka took to her Instagram to conduct a Q&A with her followers. One of the questions she was asked was about motherhood. The 27-year-old expressed how joyful motherhood has been to her, and revealed that her one-year-old has started speaking and calling her 'mommy.'

"Shai runs after me saying "mommy" now... I don't think I've ever felt this type of joy."

Naomi Osaka's Instagram Story (Image: Instagram @naomiosaka)

In January 2023, Naomi Osaka announced her pregnancy with rapper boyfriend Cordae. She welcomed their daughter, Shai, in July of the same year. The Japanese tennis star took a break from the sport to focus on motherhood and returned to competitive play at the start of the 2024 season.

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Naomi Osaka opens up about motherhood and co-parenting Shai with her boyfriend Cordae

Naomi Osaka at the 2024 China Open (Image: Getty)

Naomi Osaka shared insights into her journey to motherhood in an interview with InStyle last year. She shed light on the challenges and joys she has experienced. Reflecting on her pregnancy, she admitted that the experience was far more taxing than she had anticipated, with physical and emotional hurdles.

Osaka welcomed her daughter, Shai, in July 2023, and about adjusting to parenthood, she said:

"It was life-changing in a day. From the moment that you come back home from the hospital, everything's different."

Further, Osaka revealed that teaching Shai Japanese, the tennis star's first language, is among her priorities.

"I'm a big culture person, so I always love to celebrate. I want Shai to learn Japanese."

Osaka and rapper Cordae have been together since 2019. In these years, there were reports of problems between the couple. The couple kept going and are now parents to a one-year-old and the Japanese believes parenting with her partner has been a harmonious process:

"We built a really good foundation," Osaka noted. "I don't know if it's because he's just an easygoing guy, but I think we just respect each other's opinions. And if we disagree on something, we talk it out. At the end of the day, we both want what's best for Shai."

In 2024, Osaka returned to professional tennis, balancing motherhood with her career. Although injuries disrupted her season and she could not make deep runs into events, the four-time Grand Slam champion has already begun preseason training and hopes to come back stronger in 2025.