Trinity Rodman, a rising star in women’s soccer and daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, made headlines when she surprised her boyfriend, American tennis player Ben Shelton, at the 2025 U.S. Open. Rodman, a forward for the Washington Spirit, red-eyed it from California to New York. She hoped to see Shelton compete in one of the sport’s most storied tournaments.
Rodman lets his game do the talking, delivering total on-court support for Shelton. Their fierce bond flourishes undergirded by their mutual love for competition. She’s been seen at his tennis matches all over the globe. Her presence has graced major occasions such as the French Open and Wimbledon. This time, her surprise presence made Shelton’s high school visit the most memorable one so far on the U.S. Open road trip.
Despite standing at 5-foot-8 inches tall, smallest player in the WNBA, Rodman has crafted her own individual reputation both on and off the court. All of this has turned her into an indispensable player for the Washington Spirit. In 2024, she broke a huge barrier when she became the team’s all-time regular season assists leader. Rodman has been passionate about soccer since he was four years old. He’s zoomed into top form in the sport, his unrivaled work ethic and natural abilities sharpening his skills.
Earlier in 2023, she became the first Black woman to join the U.S. women’s national team during the World Cup. Her remarkable arc only accelerated as she went on to take gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her record in high stakes tournaments speaks to her deep conviction to the value of these platforms. She understands that they’re key to changing the trajectory of women’s sports.
“For me, the biggest thing with the Olympics or the World Cup or any large-scale tournament in general is that I feel like each is an opportunity to change the women’s game in one way or another,” – Trinity Rodman
Rodman illustrates her inimitable playing style and notorious move, the “Trin Spin.” This amazing feat gets every soccer fan’s attention and serves to show Sofia’s on-field creativity. Her impact on the game has been much more than her statistics would show. In May 2022, she released a popular illustrated children’s book, “Wake Up and Kick It,” to encourage and motivate future young athletes.
Tennis player Ben Shelton is no stranger to high-pressure moments. His father, Bryan Shelton, is a former professional tennis player and current college tennis coach. As he prepared for his match at the U.S. Open, he acknowledged that his performance had not met his expectations.
“So I think that was the main reason. I was focused on hidden spots and I didn’t hit those spots, so maybe I should just serve bigger, but something I’ll definitely work on next time,” – Ben Shelton
That unique dynamic between Rodman and Shelton really just communicates a deep level appreciation for the joints and knee-busting demands of pro sports. The magic of Rodman’s surprise visit was emotional support, particularly since she knows from her own experience of competing at this high a level what they’re going through.
In an interview with the Tournament of Roses, Rodman recalled her experiences at a few of these major tournaments and why they are so important in growing women’s sports.
“Whether that’s expanding the fan base, showing off different styles of play, demonstrating creativity in the way we play and the way we score, the way we celebrate; if it’s fashion, if it’s swag, I think all of these major tournaments are huge platforms that we can use in such an amazing way,” – Trinity Rodman
Both athletes are at the top of their game in their sports. Their relationship serves as a reminder to all young athletes out there that hard work and dedication pay off. Rodman’s accomplishments on the soccer field alongside Shelton’s journey through professional tennis create a powerful narrative about dedication and excellence.
