Soccer star Trinity Rodman was in attendance at the U.S. Open on Monday to support her boyfriend, tennis player Ben Shelton, during his first-round match. Just a day after competing in a soccer game in Washington, Rodman traveled to New York to watch Shelton face Tallon Griekspoor. The Washington Spirit forward, who is the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, has been a consistent presence at Shelton’s matches over the past year and a half, balancing her own demanding professional career.
Rodman’s Support Amidst Shelton’s Match
Rodman was observed in the stands wearing a colorful rugby shirt, sharing laughs with a companion. At one point, she offered a peace sign to photographers. Meanwhile, Shelton, the eighth seed in the tournament, experienced a challenging start to his U.S. Open campaign. He dropped the opening set to his unseeded opponent, Griekspoor, with a score of 6-1. However, Shelton managed to rally, securing the second set by the same margin.
A Shared Athletic Journey
The relationship between Rodman and Shelton highlights a dynamic where both partners are accomplished athletes. Rodman’s team, the Washington Spirit, is currently performing well in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), holding second place. There is anticipation that Shelton might be in the stands to support Rodman as her team competes for a championship in November, mirroring her support for him.
The Beginning of Their Relationship
Trinity Rodman has spoken about the early stages of her relationship with Ben Shelton, describing their initial interactions as somewhat awkward. In a conversation on the podcast ‘Not Gonna Lie’ with Kylie Kelce, Rodman revealed that she initiated contact with Shelton. She recalled sending him a simple message: “You’re sick, fire emoji.” To her surprise, Shelton responded within ten minutes, a quick reply that she humorously considered a success. Rodman noted that Shelton’s response also had a degree of awkwardness, but despite the unconventional start, they decided to meet in person a couple of weeks later.
Rodman’s Record-Breaking Season
This season has been particularly successful for Trinity Rodman. She recently signed a significant contract extension with the Washington Spirit, a three-year deal reportedly worth $1 million annually. This agreement positions her as the highest-paid player in NWSL history and, according to her agent, Mike Senkowski of Upper 90 Sports Group, the highest-paid female soccer player globally. This financial milestone underscores her value and standing in the sport.
Health and Performance Improvements
While Rodman did not score in her team’s recent 1-0 victory over Bay FC, she has been largely healthy this season after dealing with injuries in previous years. Her current performance statistics are strong; she is tied for fifth in the league in scoring with 10 goals in 22 games and ranks fifth in assists with five. Rodman has expressed satisfaction with her improved availability and overall game.
Rodman’s Perspective on Her Game
Speaking to ESPN, Rodman discussed her approach to the current season. “I’m still trying as hard as I can not to throw my body around the way I used to,” she stated. “But I’m really happy with not only the success I’ve had and the goals I’ve scored, just my availability.” She highlighted the significant shift from barely playing last season to being a consistent presence on the field this year. “I’ve played almost every single minute this season,” Rodman added. “So just to be able to flip that from barely playing last season to then coming in this season and being able to be on the field all the time, I think I’m just really happy. And I’m just keeping my body right so I can stay on the field.” She concluded by saying, “But yeah, I am very happy with the new and improved version of myself. I’m the same Trin, just improved little parts of my game.”
Looking Ahead
As both athletes continue their respective seasons, their mutual support remains a notable aspect of their public lives. Rodman’s presence at the U.S. Open demonstrates her commitment to supporting Shelton, while her own career achievements highlight her status as a leading figure in women’s soccer.
