Ben Shelton might have been the one placing on a present at Arthur Ashe Stadium, but it surely was his girlfriend, US soccer star Trinity Rodman, who stole hearts along with her sacrifice to be there.
The 22-year-old American tennis participant opened his 2025 US Open marketing campaign with a straight-sets win, then made certain to credit score Rodman, who traveled throughout the nation in a single day simply to help him.
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Ben Shelton Provides Shoutout to Trinity Rodman’s Gesture
On Sunday in New York, the sixth-seeded Shelton cruised previous Peru’s Ignacio Buse 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in simply over two hours. It was a robust begin for the younger star, who reached the semifinals in Flushing Meadows again in 2023 and is chasing his first Grand Slam title.
However after the victory, the discuss was much less about his serve and extra about his help system.
“My girlfriend took the red-eye from California final night time to be right here,” Shelton shared whereas talking to the group.
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Rodman, 23, landed in New York at 5 a.m. after taking part in a Nationwide Girls’s Soccer League match for the Washington Spirit in San Jose simply two days earlier. Cameras instantly panned to her within the stands because the stadium erupted in cheers.
When a reporter later joked, “She should such as you, Ben,” Shelton grinned and answered with three phrases: “I hope so.”
Shelton and Rodman confirmed their relationship earlier this 12 months after sparking rumors in March. Each juggle grueling schedules that contain fixed journey throughout continents, but they proceed to search out methods to indicate up for each other.
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Rodman, the youngest participant ever drafted into the NWSL and a member of the US Girls’s Nationwide Workforce, has already been noticed cheering for Shelton at tournaments in Europe, together with Wimbledon.
For his half, Shelton publicly celebrated Rodman’s return from a again harm earlier this month, praising her game-winning purpose towards the Portland Thorns.
“It has its challenges, but it surely’s positively value it,” Shelton beforehand informed about managing a long-distance relationship as athletes.
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Her in a single day flight to New York marked the most recent instance of their dedication, one Shelton made certain to focus on on one among tennis’s largest phases.
US Open Environment Brings Additional Motivation
Ben Shelton throughout his fourth-round match towards Brandon Nakashima on Stadium 2 on the BNP Paribas Open.Taya Grey/The Desert Solar / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Pictures
With the first-round win, Shelton advances to face Spain’s Pablo Carreño Busta within the second spherical. Carreño Busta defeated Pablo Llamas Ruiz in straight units to arrange the matchup.
Shelton enters this 12 months’s match in wonderful kind, having lately received the Toronto title and reaching deep rounds in each Washington, DC and Cincinnati. Ranked World No. 6, he’s thought-about one of many high American contenders alongside Taylor Fritz.
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However irrespective of how far Shelton goes on this 12 months’s US Open, the story of Rodman’s sacrifice to help him has already left its mark. Their relationship, constructed on balancing elite careers and private dedication, continues to seize consideration each on and off the courtroom.
And if Shelton retains profitable, followers can anticipate to see extra moments the place love and tennis intersect below the brilliant lights of New York.
This story was initially reported by on Aug 25, 2025, the place it first appeared within the part. Add Athlon Sports activities as a