While other top contenders like Alexander Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and João Fonseca have already arrived in Montréal, Ben Shelton remained in Washington, D.C., despite bowing out of the Mubadala DC Open.
Shelton will enter the ATP Masters 1000 event as the defending champion, having won the biggest title of his career at the tournament last year. However, the American chose to delay his departure and instead displayed his support for his girlfriend, soccer star Trinity Rodman.
Ben Shelton Cheers on Trinity Rodman During Washington Spirit Game
The couple made the most of their time in the same city while Shelton competed at the DC Open and Rodman continued her NWSL season with the Washington Spirit.
The soccer star made her presence felt during Shelton’s matches at the ATP 500 event, passionately cheering him on from the stands. The world No. 10 returned the gesture by attending Rodman’s NWSL game alongside Hailey Baptiste and Arthur Fils.
Shelton’s run at the DC Open came to an end in the quarterfinals on Friday, July 31, as he suffered a 6-4, 5-7, 4-6 loss to Alejandro Tabilo. Rather than traveling to Montréal immediately to begin gearing up for his highly anticipated title defense, the 23-year-old remained in Washington, D.C.
Instead, Shelton supported Rodman as the Washington Spirit hosted the San Diego Wave on Sunday, August 2, with the Wave sealing a 1-0 win. As the Spirit observed Cancer Awareness Day, Rodman was spotted introducing the team’s honorary captain, Taylor McLeod, to Shelton on the sidelines.
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The couple often makes an effort to support each other whenever their schedules allow. While speaking to the press at the DC Open, Shelton opened up about how special it was to attend Rodman’s games and to have her cheering him on alongside his family.
“It’s cool, obviously, to be able to share these moments with her, to be able to go to her games, to be able to play in front of her and the rest of my family,” he said. “I got a lot of family here, so all that is super special and emotional for me. The part that I enjoy the most is getting able to play in front of them, especially when I’m playing well or in a match like that; that’s enjoyable and entertaining.”
The 23-year-old also shared how much he enjoyed celebrating with Baptiste and Fils when they watched Rodman deliver a crucial assist during the Spirit’s game against Denver Summit FC.
“It was a lot of fun, you know, being able to go with Hailey and Arthur and watch her play and see how invested and pumped up they were to go watch that. I had a lot of fun watching that soccer game with Arthur,” he added.
As the No. 5 seed at the Canadian Open, Ben Shelton has received a first-round bye at the Masters 1000 event, allowing him extra time to reach Montréal ahead of his opening match. His title defense will get underway no earlier than Tuesday, August 4, when the American faces either Adam Walton or Jenson Brooksby in the second round.
