Soccer star Trinity Rodman was present at the U.S. Open on Monday to support her boyfriend, tennis player Ben Shelton, during his first-round match. Just one day after competing in a soccer game in Washington, Rodman traveled to New York to watch Shelton face Tallon Griekspoor. This appearance continues a pattern of Rodman attending Shelton’s matches, a commitment she has maintained for the past year and a half while managing her own demanding professional soccer career.
Trinity Rodman’s Support at the U.S. Open
In the stands, Rodman was observed wearing a vibrant Polo rugby shirt and appeared to be in good spirits, sharing laughs with a companion. At one point, she acknowledged photographers with a peace sign. Her presence underscores the mutual support between the two athletes as they navigate their respective high-profile careers.
Ben Shelton’s U.S. Open Match
The match itself presented a challenging start for the eighth-seeded Shelton. He dropped the opening set to his unseeded opponent, Griekspoor, with a score of 6-1. However, Shelton demonstrated resilience by battling back to win the second set by the same margin, indicating a competitive contest.
A Relationship Built on Mutual Athletic Success
The relationship between Rodman and Shelton highlights a dynamic where both partners are accomplished athletes. Rodman, the 24-year-old daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, plays for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Her team is currently performing strongly, holding second place in the league standings. There is anticipation that Rodman could be competing for a championship in November, potentially with Shelton in attendance.
The Beginning of Their Romance
Rodman has shared details about the early stages of her relationship with the 23-year-old Shelton, describing it as having an initially awkward start involving direct messages. In a recent interview on the podcast ‘Not Gonna Lie’ with Kylie Kelce, Rodman revealed that she initiated contact. She recounted sending a simple message, “You’re sick, fire emoji,” to which Shelton responded within ten minutes. While Rodman characterized Shelton’s reply as equally understated, the interaction led to their first in-person meeting a couple of weeks later.
Trinity Rodman’s Record-Breaking Season
This season has been particularly successful for Trinity Rodman. She recently signed a significant contract extension with the Washington Spirit, a three-year deal reportedly worth $1 million annually. This agreement positions her as the highest-paid player in NWSL history and, according to her agent Mike Senkowski of Upper 90 Sports Group, the highest-paid female soccer player globally. This financial milestone reflects her growing stature in the sport.
Health and Performance Improvements
Despite not scoring in her team’s recent 1-0 victory over Bay FC, Rodman has been largely healthy this season after contending with injuries in previous years. She has been a consistent offensive force, currently ranking tied for fifth in the league with 10 goals in 22 games, and also contributing five assists. Rodman has expressed satisfaction with her improved availability and overall performance.
Rodman’s Perspective on Her Game
Speaking to ESPN, Rodman discussed her approach to the current season. “I’m still trying as hard as I can not to throw my body around the way I used to,” she stated, acknowledging a more measured style of play. “But I’m really happy with not only the success I’ve had and the goals I’ve scored, just my availability. I’ve played almost every single minute this season.” She emphasized the contrast with her previous season, noting the significant increase in playing time. “So just to be able to flip that from barely playing last season to then coming in this season and being able to be on the field all the time, I think I’m just really happy. And I’m just keeping my body right so I can stay on the field.” Rodman concluded by expressing contentment with her development, “But yeah, I am very happy with the new and improved version of myself. I’m the same Trin, just improved little parts of my game.””
