Ben Shelton’s early days in Melbourne are already drawing eyes, including those of his girlfriend, American soccer star Trinity Rodman. As the American left-hander put in the work on the hard courts ahead of the 2026 Australian Open, Rodman offered a subtle nod to her boyfriend’s grind.
Ben Shelton Begins His 2026 Campaign With Auckland and Melbourne in Focus
Shelton opened his 2026 season at the ASB Classic in Auckland, where he entered the draw as the top seed. He received a first-round bye and followed it with a straight-sets win over Francisco Comesana, closing out the match 7-5, 6-4 to advance to the quarterfinals. His run ended there with a 5-7, 3-6 loss to seventh seed Sebastian Baez, but the week served its purpose as competitive preparation.
From Auckland, Shelton traveled to Melbourne for his fourth appearance at the Australian Open. The 2025 semifinalist arrives this year as the eighth seed and will face Ugo Humbert in the first round. It will mark their first meeting on the ATP Tour, with the winner scheduled to play either Australian qualifier Dane Sweeny or veteran Gaël Monfils in round two.
Ahead of that opener, Shelton spent time fine-tuning his game on the practice courts, pushing through the heat as he sharpened his serve and baseline patterns. Those practice moments made their way to social media when the official Australian Open Instagram account shared images of Shelton training in Melbourne, welcoming him back to Australia.
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Rodman, a forward for the Washington Spirit, reshared the post on her own Instagram Stories, adding only a pair of eyes emoji in her response. Rodman had been by Shelton’s side throughout his tournament in Auckland and only left a few days ago, ahead of the start of the Australian Open in Melbourne.
How Have Shelton and Trinity Rodman Balanced Elite Careers While Sharing Their Relationship Publicly?
Shelton and Rodman, who began dating in early 2025, have gradually let fans into their relationship through social media since making it public that March. Despite the demands of two elite professional careers, they regularly share lighthearted moments that resonate with fans across sports.
Rodman continues to balance her role as a forward for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL, while Shelton’s schedule is shaped by constant travel on the ATP Tour. Their relationship has drawn added interest, given Rodman’s own profile as the daughter of NBA Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, one of the most recognizable athletes of his generation.
