Ben Shelton prepares to take the court in just a few hours to defend his Canadian Open title against Brandon Nakashima, fresh off a dominant 6-2, 6-3 semifinal victory over fellow American Learner Tien. Alongside his on-court success, he and his girlfriend, USWNT soccer player Trinity Rodman, have quickly become one of America’s most beloved athletic power couples.
However, living out a romance under the public eye comes with its unique set of challenges. Recently, Rodman opened up about the toxic side of internet fame and firmly shut down baseless rumors regarding a surprise visit to his Montréal hotel room.
Trinity Rodman Reveals Challenges of Dating Ben Shelton in Public Eye Amid Fans’ Speculation
Sitting down with host Kylie Kelce, who is well-versed in the chaos of public relationships as the wife of former NFL center Jason Kelce, Rodman did not hold back about her experiences.
“I’m not going to lie, being in a couple in the public eye is not for the weak,” Rodman admitted.
Kelce was quick to validate the soccer star’s comment, referring to her own famous family, including her brother-in-law, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his wife, pop star Taylor Swift. “I mean, you’re not wrong,” Kelce replied. “There are a few examples in our family, and you’re not wrong. It’s kind of trash.”
While Rodman acknowledged that having a platform like this is “a blessing in so many ways,” she also added, “too many people have too many opinions that they need to speak on, and it’s just, like, mind your business.”
During Shelton’s current run at the National Bank Open, Rodman decided to pay him a surprise visit in Montréal. The World No. 10 answered an unexpected knock at his hotel room door and was left stunned when he saw Rodman standing outside. She documented the heartwarming moment on video.
“I take this video, I’m like, ‘oh my gosh, he’s so shocked,'” she explained. “Then I look at the comment section; it’s like, “He’s cheating on you. There’s a girl. There’s someone in there. ” I’m like, ‘All right.’ I’m in there..(gesturing to look behind the curtain),” the Washington Spirit star added with a laugh.
“There wasn’t anyone in his room if y’all were wondering,” Rodman concluded.
Dating since March 2025, the couple have been each other’s biggest supporters. Despite the tight schedules of the ATP Tour and the NWSL, where Rodman plays for the Washington Spirit, while Shelton rises up the ATP ranks, they still make time to support one another in person.
In Montreal, Shelton will face Brandon Nakashima in an All-American final. He is chasing his fourth title of 2026 and the seventh of his career.
