A simple bracelet speaks louder than any 140-mph serve ever could for Ben Shelton. Speaking with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj at the 2026 National Bank Open in Montreal after his second-round victory, the 23-year-old peeled back the curtain to discuss a special piece of jewelry he refuses to take off, and it’s all credit to a young fan of his girlfriend and soccer player Trinity Rodman, who changed his perspective.
“She Had to Do Chemo Days Later” – Ben Shelton Shares Heartbreaking Story Behind His ‘Tough Like Taylor’ Bracelet
During the interview after his 6-3, 7-5 win over fellow American Jenson Brooksby on Court Central, Shelton was asked about a bracelet he was wearing, with the words “Tough Like Taylor” on it. The story behind that originated at a recent soccer match where he was supporting his girlfriend, USWNT and Washington Spirit star, Rodman.
Shelton recalled meeting a young girl named Taylor, who is battling cancer and is a massive fan of the 24-year-old forward. “I don’t know exactly if she knows who I am, but she came up to me super excited to meet me,” Shelton shared with Amritraj. “She’s a young girl, and she has cancer, and one of the happiest, most joyful people that I’ve met.”
Watching Taylor’s pure joy as she walked down the tunnel with Rodman, knowing she was scheduled for multiple rounds of chemotherapy just days later, gave Shelton a profound reality check.
“I’m rooting for her. I’m a super big fan of her… So, I got my Tough Like Taylor bracelet on. I won’t be taking it off,” Shelton added.
There is much to be inspired by in both the athletes’ careers. At 20, Shelton transitioned from collegiate tennis to become the youngest American man to reach the US Open semifinals since Michael Chang in 1992, and in 2023, he broke into the ATP Top 15.
Meanwhile, Rodman, despite being the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, was raised by a single mother and overcame financial hardships to become the youngest player ever selected second overall in the NWSL Draft. She also won Olympic gold with the USWNT and has become the highest-paid female soccer player.
When Amritraj asked the World No. 10 about how they manage the growing influence on young kids, Shelton had a humble answer.
“I think I’m just myself. I think Trinity is the same,” he explained. Shelton added that he never feels pressure to “put on a face,” especially off the court. For Shelton, the responsibility of being a role model is a privilege, and it’s ‘bigger than the game.’
With the win, Shelton advances to the third round at the Canadian Open, where the fifth seed will face Zizou Bergs.
