Ben Shelton’s girlfriend, American soccer star Trinity Rodman, had a sharp message for the media during Wimbledon 2025. She called out commentators and journalists for repeatedly bringing up her estranged father, NBA legend Dennis Rodman, while she was in London supporting her boyfriend.
The 23-year-old clarified that the focus should remain on Shelton’s breakthrough run, not her complicated family history.
Trinity Rodman Slams Media Focus During Boyfriend Ben Shelton’s Wimbledon Run
Rodman, a forward for the U.S. Women’s National Team and the Washington Spirit, has always been vocal about wanting to carve out her path, separate from the shadow of her famous father.
She was courtside at the All England Club to support her boyfriend, where broadcasters and reporters, particularly from the BBC, repeatedly referred to her NBA lineage during Shelton’s third and fourth-round matches. The repeated references prompted Rodman to set the record straight in a social media post.
In one particularly pointed Instagram story, Rodman addressed the mispronunciation of her name and the unnecessary focus on her father during the broadcasts. “For those who don’t know… my name is TRINITY, not Tiffany,” she wrote.
She followed up with a more serious note, writing, “Also, for Ben’s matches, he has his family there as his support system, which includes his dad. My dad’s not even in MY life. No need to bring him up during HIS matches when I don’t even want him talked about during mine. It’s his and his loved ones’ moment. Thank you.”
Rodman’s frustration stemmed from comments made by BBC’s Andrew Castle, who not only repeatedly called her by the wrong name during Shelton’s third-round match but also spent considerable time discussing Dennis Rodman’s NBA career. The coverage felt out of place, especially given Trinity’s well-known efforts to distance herself from her father’s public legacy.
Even Shelton couldn’t help but respond to the situation during his post-match press conference. When a reporter mistakenly referred to his girlfriend as “Tiffany,” Shelton looked puzzled and asked, “Sorry. Who is Tiffany?” before laughing. The reporter quickly corrected himself and went on with the questioning.
Rodman’s comments were posted to her Instagram Stories on July 7, shortly after Shelton’s straight-sets victory over Lorenzo Sonego, which earned him a place in his first Wimbledon quarterfinal. In a separate post, she celebrated Shelton’s milestone with the words, “Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!!!”
Rodman’s Past Statements Reflect Longstanding Pain
Rodman has spoken candidly about her relationship with her father in the past. On the Call Her Daddy podcast earlier this year, she said, “He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else. Hearing his voice is painful.”
Raised primarily by her mother, Michelle Moyer, Trinity credits her upbringing and success to her mom’s unwavering support, not her father’s legacy. Despite her last name, she’s built a career defined by her own achievements, including helping the U.S. win gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Shelton and Rodman made their relationship public in March 2025 with a romantic Instagram post. Since then, they’ve shared glimpses of their growing bond online. Currently recovering from a back injury, Rodman has been spending time at Wimbledon supporting Shelton during the NWSL offseason.
