Ben Shelton is among tennis’s rapidly emerging talents, and his recent milestones underline that rise. Beyond the court, much of the spotlight has also fallen on his burgeoning relationship with American soccer star Trinity Rodman, who frequently cheers him in his matches.
In fact, Shelton, who is equally supportive at Rodman’s matches, recently reflected on witnessing the challenges each of them faces in their respective sports.
What Did Ben Shelton Say About His and His Girlfriend’s Sporting Lives?
Ever since Shelton went public with his relationship with Washington Spirit forward Rodman in March, she has been a fixture at his matches. Rodman has proudly celebrated Shelton’s biggest milestones, from his breakthrough in Toronto at the Canadian Open to his rise into the world’s top 10.
In fact, the 23-year-old wasted no time in showing her support for Shelton during his US Open campaign. She flew overnight from California to watch his opening match at Flushing Meadows, and Shelton acknowledged her presence after securing the triumph.
“My girlfriend took the red-eye from California last night to be here.”
Ben Shelton shouts out Trinity Rodman for making his US Open match less than 24 hours after her NWSL game ❤️ pic.twitter.com/NuFneJYbGL
— ESPN (@espn) August 24, 2025
Another remarkable aspect is that Shelton has been just as supportive, often showing up to cheer on Rodman at her matches. The American recently shared how intriguing it is for both of them to follow each other’s sports and navigate the unique challenges they bring.
“I think it’s really cool for both of us to be able to see each other in our respective sports and, you know, witness what it takes and how difficult it is to stay at the top,” Shelton said in an interview with Vogue.
Shelton added that the US Women’s National Team and the soccer environment were entirely new to him, but he has appreciated the opportunity to understand the sport.
“The soccer life, the US women’s national team, it was all kind of new to me, and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to get to know it, and to know more about her life in it,” he added.
How Do Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman Help Each Other in Dealing With Mental Struggles?
While their skills lie in different arenas, the couple has found ways to support each other uniquely. Shelton explained that the guidance they exchange focuses on mental resilience rather than technical skills, emphasizing that perseverance and handling challenges are qualities vital across all sports.
“If there’s shared advice, I think it’s definitely about the mental stuff, not skills, exactly. But the mental toughness and perseverance, and dealing with the difficulties that come up. I think that’s one and the same across all sports, actually,” he said.
Rodman herself stepped back into the fray just a few weeks back with a 72nd-minute stoppage-time goal, helping her team secure a 2-1 triumph over the Portland Thorns.
Meanwhile, Shelton is focused on a deep run at Flushing Meadows, set to face Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta in the second round. Rodman’s presence in the box adds a personal edge, offering encouragement as he takes on the challenge.
