Two years ago Naomi Osaka supposedly gave birth to a baby girl she named Shai. The father is said to be the musician Cordae, her former boyfriend.
But there is no fully believable photographic evidence the baby actually exists. There was a carousel of photos on her instagram but that post has been deleted, as revealed by a People magazine story (or propaganda feature).
On August 25th, Osaka appeared on Today Show and stated that her baby Shai would be attending her first pro tennis tournament to see her mom compete. But so far, there has been no sight of the mysterious baby Shai at the US Open where Osaka has reached the semifinal. Osaka defeated Karolina Muchova last night in the quarterfinal and her box included her coach and mother but no baby Shai.
At this point, suspicions are beginning to increase, that Osaka may have faked the baby event for some kind of publicity stunt to change her image.
The supposed father of the baby Cordae, has not shown one single photo of baby Shai on his instagram either, however he does show the baby of one of his biggest fans who named his baby son after the musician. See Cordae’s instagram here
Other mothers in pro tennis such as Belinda Bencic, regularly travel with their babies and show them in public. But so far nobody has caught a glimpse of baby Shai.
Note: I have asked a fellow tennis reporter colleague to ask Naomi about the whereabouts of her baby during the US Open at one of her press conference but, despite becoming suspicious of the reality of the baby, he is afraid to ask her any questions which could trigger a potential embarrassing scandal – or throw her off mentally when she is just two matches away from winning a Grand Slam title.
A former ATP champion player who I’ve discussed this with said if the reporters asks Osaka about the baby he “will be banned.”
Until anyone actually sees the baby in public and not some publicity stunt photos, it is very possible Osaka faked her pregnancy and the birth of baby Shai.
Naomi Osaka · Nike · US Open · Yonex
catherine · September 5, 2025 at 8:53 am
Scoop, really. Don’t you think Naomi might have had second thoughts about exposing her baby to the mayhem of the USO and simply left her in care at home ?
I seem to recall you had similar suspicions about Serena’s baby but we’ve seen plenty of evidence that she’s alive and well.
Older tennis followers in particular Wimbledon, might have heard of the death a couple of days ago of the Duchess of Kent, at 92. For many years the Duchess presented the women’s trophy and a photo of her embrace of a tearful Jana Novotna will endure down the ages.
Scoop Malinowski · September 5, 2025 at 9:29 am
Catherine, No Serena has a child but if it’s really her own is debatable. Just like the Obamas. I find it very curious how nobody has seen the invisible Osaka baby even after she said two weeks ago the baby would be at US Open to see her play for the first time. She can afford to bring a nanny if Bencic can. The Dutchess of Kent is a legendary figure, Wimbledon should name a center court netpost or something in her honor.
Steve · September 5, 2025 at 10:09 am
I will never forget that Novotna moment. The Duchess brought a touch a class like no other.
Scoop…this is one of your wildest takes. If she faked a baby she would be legend. I don’t think the Labubu craze is translating to Americans..if you’re wrong about the fake baby though you should tie a pink Labubu to your tennis bag as punishment. 🙂
Really rooting for Anisimova. I only became of a fan of hers during Wimbledon. Amazing strokes.
Scoop Malinowski · September 5, 2025 at 12:02 pm
The Dutchess of Kent became a historic Wimbledon figure without touching a racquet. If Osaka really does have a baby and brings her out soon I will wear an Osaka wig for a week. Anisimova has been well known inside tennis circles for over a decade. I will never forget my introduction to her. It was at Eddie Herr, I was chatting with Daniel Vacek and he saw her playing and told me he already knew about her and her reputation as a future star, somehow they already knew she was the real deal even at 12. She’s about the same age as Coco but while Coco was playing the Eddie Herr 12s, Anisimova was already playing the 18s. She didn’t win the 18s but she won a few rounds. Coco lost in the finals of the 12s to Noa Krznaric of Croatia.
Sam · September 10, 2025 at 5:53 am
That’s too bad about the Duchess. 😢
Yes, Serena has two “kids,” but since, just like Mikey, he doesn’t have the equipment to produce one, it’s not hard to figure out what happened. I just feel sorry for those kids, though, being raised in such a fraudulent, unwholesome environment. 😭
If you actually have to ask the question about Osaka’s baby, Scoop, then your theory is probably correct. At least I think Osaka has the equipment to produce a baby, but yeah, maybe it’s just a stunt for publicity and good PR. 🙄
Scoop Malinowski · September 10, 2025 at 8:17 am
Sam I just wonder how Osaka is going to sustain this deception. Well hey if they could pull off 911 and covid, they can pull off anything at this point.
Sam · September 18, 2025 at 2:18 am
Scoop, has there still been no appearance of the mystery baby? 🤨
Oh, as far as deception goes, don’t forget the 2020 “election”—and the fake Resident we got for four years. 😛
Sam · September 18, 2025 at 2:25 am
Oh, as far as the Duchess goes, I remember that she said to Novotna, trying to comfort her, “You’ll win Wimbledon one day.” And then shortly afterward, Novotna told the press, “I was actually going to be okay until she said that.” 😹
Scoop Malinowski · September 18, 2025 at 8:04 am
No video or believable photos of Shai Osaka, the big suspect is that the alleged father also does not show the baby on his Instagram either, but he does show the baby of one of his fans who named him after Cordae. Suspicions increase.
Scoop Malinowski · September 18, 2025 at 8:05 am
So nice that she did fulfill the prophecy, a golden moment of Wimbledon history.
Sam · September 27, 2025 at 1:15 am
the alleged father also does not show the baby on his Instagram either, but he does show the baby of one of his fans who named him after Cordae. Suspicions increase.
The whole story sounds like fiction. 📗
So nice that she did fulfill the prophecy, a golden moment of Wimbledon history.
Yeah, I remember being really happy when she finally won there.
Scoop Malinowski · September 27, 2025 at 8:25 am
Sam, not expecting to ever see the Osaka baby or kid at ANY pro tournament. The kid – or the illusion – will always be shrouded in mystery.