Trinity Rodman expressed her pride as boyfriend Ben Shelton stormed into the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open quarterfinals for the second year in a row. The U.S. women’s soccer star took to social media to praise Shelton’s latest triumph, beaming with admiration after he powered past Gabriel Diallo to keep his title hopes alive in the nation’s capital.
Trinity Rodman Shows Support as Ben Shelton Keeps Winning
The couple publicly confirmed their relationship in March 2025. Rodman, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, plays forward for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL and the U.S. Women’s National Team. She’s been a regular presence at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center this week, passionately cheering from the stands, most notably sporting a custom shirt with Shelton’s face on it.
Currently seeded fourth at the tournament, Shelton made a statement in his opening match against fellow American Mackenzie McDonald, breezing through 6-3, 6-4. He backed it up in the third round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over 15th seed Gabriel Diallo to punch his ticket to his second straight quarterfinal in the nation’s capital.
Ben Shelton into the Quaterfinal in Washington D.C 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/CNembpdIb0
— Justin (@Justinooo__o) July 24, 2025
Shortly after Shelton secured his quarterfinal spot, Rodman took to Instagram to celebrate her boyfriend’s achievement. Posting a photo of Shelton from the match on her Stories, she wrote: “U amaze me everyday.”
It’s familiar territory for Shelton, who reached the semifinals in 2024 and is appearing in his third DC Open. Next, the 22-year-old will face close friend and No. 6 seed Frances Tiafoe in an all-American showdown. Interestingly, the two had paired up in the doubles draw earlier in the week but were ousted by Aussie duo John Peers and Matthew Ebden in the opening round.
The upcoming quarterfinal will mark their fourth career meeting, with Shelton narrowly leading the head-to-head 2-1. The winner of this clash will meet either top seed Taylor Fritz or 12th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the semifinals.
Former Tennis Pro Backs Shelton for Citi DC Open title
Former World No. 9 Andrea Petkovic predicted that Shelton could win the title in DC after watching him cruise through his second-round match.
Speaking on ‘The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast,’ Petkovic said, “I think Ben Shelton might win Washington DC…the thing with Ben is, if he plays well, I think he can beat anybody.”
While acknowledging his earlier inconsistency on tour, Petkovic noted that Shelton now looks more complete and confident player.
“When he came up on the scene, I think we all saw the raw potential that he possesses,” she noted. “But he was still kind of all over the place. And I was thinking about this yesterday after he finished the match, I think he’s the player that has improved the most in the last two years from completely raw to a professional solid tennis player who I think soon will have major accomplishments.”
“I don’t know why. I just think the way he constructs the points and how he’s gotten better athletically, I really see incredible improvements with him,” Petkovic concluded.
