Ben Shelton stormed through to the US Open semi-finals with partner Trinity Rodman cheering him on from the stands. The American endured the latest finish in tournament history as he defeated reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz in five sets. Shelton fought back from one set down to win 6-7, 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6.
He was supported by his family and girlfriend, Rodman, who is also a popular American athlete. The 24-year-old is a professional footballer who stars for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL and represents the United States national team. The pair began dating in early 2025 and are typically spotted supporting one another in their respective sporting endeavours.
'Cringe' chat-up line
Rodman revealed that she reached out to Shelton first with an "embarrassing" line that worked surprisingly well. During an appearance on Kylie Kelce's 'Not Gonna Lie' podcast, the USWNT star admitted she invited the tennis player to spend the weekend at her house without ever having met him - and her pick-up line wasn't exactly smooth.
The 24-year-old explained: "Everything I do is just embarrassing. I'm really embarrassed. I said 'You're sick, fire emoji,' that's it ... It worked, he responded within 10 minutes, so I win."
"I fully committed to this guy that I didn't even meet yet, for him to stay at my house for the weekend... It's actually crazy, it's insane, but it worked out." Shelton matched the awkward energy by replying: "Yeah, you were sick at the Olympics too, haha." Rodman appreciated this and added: "He matched the cringe situation, and then I think a week or two later we met in person."
They went public with their relationship in March 2025 and now regularly appear on the sidelines of football pitches and tennis courts to support one another.
BBC star fury
BBC pundit Andrew Castle was forced to apologise for calling Rodman by the wrong name as he brought up her estranged father, Dennis, during Shelton's Wimbledon match. The Washington Spirit star was in attendance during her beau's win over Lorenzo Sonego in the round-of-32 during the 2025 tournament.
Castle spotted Rodman in the crowd and said: "That was interesting. Tiffany Rodman is part of the US football set-up, she's in the national team, scored a goal in the World Cup final. Her father is Dennis Rodman who is one of the greatest sportsmen of all time in my opinion."
"The greatest rebounder in NBA history and the biggest wind-up merchant of all time. Nobody wound people up more than Rodman. When he was with Detroit in the NBA with Bill Laimbeer and Isaiah Thomas, he used to ruin Michael Jordan's life." Then they were team-mates at the Chicago Bulls and they were legends together. There's nobody she doesn't know in the hierarchy of US sports. A big star herself.
Rodman was unimpressed after being called Tiffany and the constant references to her estranged father. She took to Instagram, "for those who don't know," and wrote: "Also, for Ben's matches, he has his family there as his support system, which includes his dad.
"My dad's not even in MY life, no need to bring him up during HIS matches when I don't even want him talked about during mine. It's him and his loved ones' moment. Thank you." The BBC responded by issuing a short statement that read: "Andrew apologises for mispronouncing Trinity Rodman's name during the Ben Shelton vs. Lorenzo Sonego match." Rodman had previously delved into how she handles her absent father, stating that Dennis is "not a dad" in any way other than by blood.
Rodman's WAG stance
The USWNT star admitted she enjoys being Shelton's WAG, calling it the "best feeling." Rodman said: "It's the best feeling in the world, honestly."
"I think to know we're both on the grind, running our bodies to the ground, always exhausted, doing what we love, and then to also be able to be a little like a WAG in a sense, it feels so good for us."
The tennis star also appreciates seeing his partner in the stands during his games, sharing his outlook after beating Ugo Humbert at the Citi Open earlier this year. Shelton said: "She's always messing around. I don't know why she does that. It's cool, obviously, to be able to share these moments with her, to be able to go to her games, to be able to play in front of her and the rest of my family."
"I got a lot of family here, so all that is super special and emotional for me. The part that I enjoy the most is getting able to play in front of them, especially when I'm playing well or in a match like that; that's enjoyable and entertaining."
