American tennis star Ben Shelton recently found himself caught up in an unusual challenge his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, took on, one that even involved his father and coach, Bryan Shelton. The couple shares a notably close bond and often gives fans glimpses into their lives, regularly showcasing their playful and lighthearted dynamic.
Ben Shelton Tells Trinity Rodman and Emma Hayes To Ease Off
The sequence unfolded following Shelton’s second-round victory over Adrian Mannarino at the 2026 Dallas Open. During his on-court interview, the former World No. 5 was asked whether he and his father and coach, Bryan Shelton, would break into a celebratory dance of their own, just like his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, celebrated with the U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes after scoring a goal against Chile last month.
Shelton swiftly shut down the suggestion, making it clear that it would never happen and adding that he would not even consider bringing it up to his father and coach, Bryan Shelton.
“I think there’s a better chance of a lot of things in life. I think that’s one thing that will never happen. So that’s not something I would even ask,” he said.
That response, however, appeared to motivate Trinity Rodman, who reposted her boyfriend Shelton’s interview on her Instagram story and added, “get Ben’s dad to do a dance. Challenge accepted @benshelton.”
Rodman’s Instagram story soon caught the attention of her coach, Emma Hayes, who urged Shelton to recreate a similar celebratory moment with his father, pointing out that she had done the same with Rodman. Shelton, however, made it clear he was not on board with the suggestion. He reposted his girlfriend’s and Hayes’s Instagram stories and wrote, “stop pressuring me.”
Shelton and Rodman have been together for close to a year, going public with their relationship in March 2025. Rodman plays as a forward for the United States women’s national team and represents the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League. The American soccer player has been pivotal in Shelton’s journey and has frequently supported him from the stands.
Shelton arrived at the Dallas Open as the second seed and has justified that billing. He opened his campaign with a controlled 6-4, 6-4 victory over Gabriel Diallo, followed it with a three-set win against Mannarino, and then battled past Miomir Kecmanović 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to book his place in the semifinals of the ATP 500 event.
