Naomi Osaka stunned the tennis world with a commanding 6-3, 6-2 victory over American favorite Coco Gauff in a highly anticipated fourth-round match at the 2025 US Open. The win marked her return to the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam for the first time since 2021, a moment that resonated far beyond the tennis court.
Even rapper Cordae, her former partner, quietly showed his pride. Despite their split earlier this year, his unexpected public gesture highlighted their enduring bond and mutual respect.
How Did Cordae Honor Osaka’s Breakthrough Victory?
Osaka raced to an early lead, breaking Gauff in the opening game and closing out the first set on her initial set point. In the second set, she converted both break-point opportunities while committing just seven unforced errors to Gauff’s 17, sealing her spot in the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-2 win.
After the match, Cordae marked the moment by resharing Osaka’s post without any caption. The Japanese star can be seen in her shiny purple dress from the match, using her phone with her crystal headphones on. This sweet gesture of appreciating her win speaks volumes about the respect Cordae has for Osaka, not just as a tennis player, but as a human being.
The simple repost carried more weight than words could express. For someone who has largely stayed out of the spotlight regarding their relationship status, Cordae’s decision to publicly celebrate her achievement demonstrated that some connections transcend personal circumstances.
Osaka and Cordae’s relationship began in 2019, and they quickly bonded over shared values and support for each other’s careers. In July 2023, they welcomed their daughter, Shai, whom they have described as a source of joy and strength.
Cordae Celebrates Girlfriend Naomi Osaka Winning US Open Title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/rVN6GHjTxR
— Kollege Kidd (@KollegeKidd) September 13, 2020
During the 2023 US Open, Osaka revealed why she named her daughter ‘Shai.’ “Shai means ‘God’s gift,’ and that’s how I wanted her to feel, like she’s God’s gift to me and her dad,” she said in an ESPN interview. Despite announcing an amicable split earlier this year, both remain committed co-parents.
MORE: Coco Gauff Reflects on Pressure and Growth After US Open 4R Loss to Naomi Osaka
What Made Osaka’s Performance So Dominant Against Gauff?
Previously having won the US Open in both 2018 and 2020, Osaka began her 2025 campaign dominantly at Flushing Meadows. She started with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 win over Belgian tennis player Greet Minnen, hitting seven aces without a double fault. She continued this momentum with a 70-minute dismantling of Hailey Baptiste, winning the match 6-3, 6-1.
The path got trickier against 15th seed Daria Kasatkina. Still, Osaka emerged victorious after hitting nine aces and converting seven break points, winning the match 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 to set up the fourth-round clash against Gauff. Against the top-ranked American, she delivered her most impressive performance yet, upsetting Gauff in just 64 minutes with a dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory.
What made this win particularly special was how Osaka controlled every aspect of the match. Her serve looked sharp, her movement appeared effortless, and her mental game stayed locked in throughout both sets.
As she steps into her first major quarterfinal in over four years, Osaka faces 11th seed Karolína Muchová on Wednesday, hoping to continue this championship momentum and lift the US Open title for the third time. With both her game and her support system clearly in place, she’s positioned to make this comeback story even more remarkable.
