Ben Shelton’s buildup to the 2026 ASB Classic already has fans talking, and it took just one word from his girlfriend and American soccer star, Trinity Rodman, to add extra attention to the moment. As the American left-hander shared a behind-the-scenes look at his preparation in Auckland, Rodman’s enthusiastic reaction underscored the support surrounding Shelton as he begins his new season as the tournament’s top seed.
A Behind-the-Scenes Glimpse of Ben Shelton’s Start to the 2026 Season
The ASB Classic, held annually in Auckland, New Zealand, is one of the first stops on the ATP calendar and a key tune-up event ahead of the Australian Open. Played on outdoor hard courts at the ASB Tennis Centre, the tournament provides players with an early opportunity to acclimate to match conditions, accumulate valuable ATP 250 ranking points, and build momentum for the upcoming season.
For Shelton, the event has become a familiar destination in January. He made his tournament debut in 2023, gaining early experience but bowing out in the second round. A year later, he returned with more confidence and a higher ranking, reaching the semifinals before falling to Taro Daniel. In 2025, expectations were higher still, but his run ended earlier than hoped with a second-round exit.
The 2026 edition marks a fresh chapter. Shelton arrives in Auckland as the top seed and has received a bye into the second round, where he is set to face Francisco Comesana in their first-ever ATP Tour meeting.
Ahead of that opener, Shelton posted a short Instagram clip offering a snapshot of his Auckland routine. The video showed him moving between media commitments and intense practice sessions, grinding through drills on the ASB Tennis Centre courts as he fine-tuned his game for the week ahead. He captioned the post, “First stop of 2026.”
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Rodman, forward for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL, responded in the comments with a single word, “Yupppp,” punctuated by heart-eyes emojis.
MORE: Ben Shelton’s Girlfriend Trinity Rodman Gushes Over Him in Adorable Snap
Shelton and Rodman have been together since the beginning of 2025, with their romance coming into the spotlight after they posted pictures of each other on social media. Despite demanding calendars, the two consistently show up for one another and offer fans occasional snapshots of their life together online.
Rodman manages her commitments in the National Women’s Soccer League with the Washington Spirit, while Shelton spends much of the year competing across the ATP Tour.
