While many public romances in the sports world unfold through grand gestures, tennis star Ben Shelton and NWSL standout Trinity Rodman are writing their own quieter love story—filled with subtle support, playful moments, and growing admiration. Their relationship first sparked public interest in early March 2025 through flirtatious TikTok exchanges. Not long after, on March 17, Shelton made it official with a charming Instagram post that quickly won over fans.
Since then, the couple has grown into a beloved presence across tennis and soccer courts alike, cheering each other on from the sidelines. Rodman’s presence in Shelton’s player box at the BMW Open in Munich coincided with a stunning comeback win for the American, igniting talk that her support might be his lucky charm. From then on, she became a courtside regular—her joy and encouragement unmistakable, even in high-pressure moments. One playful exchange saw Shelton showing off basketball moves mid-match, smiling toward Rodman in the stands.
Most recently, she was spotted at the Madrid Open, where her subtle show of support—a necklace with a “B” charm—caught the eyes of fans. Though Shelton lost the match to Jakub Mensik, Rodman’s unwavering support left a lasting impression. Observant fans even noted how her necklace matched Shelton’s go-to David Yurman chain, highlighting how style has become part of their unspoken love language.
Fashion, in fact, is just one way the two athletes share admiration. When Rodman’s black-and-white Oakley campaign photos surfaced, Shelton was quick to show love, dropping a speechless emoji in the comments. And their mutual support doesn’t end on the tennis court—Shelton returned the favor by cheering her on at a Washington Spirit match on March 28. After her team’s 2-0 win, the NWSL’s Instagram page welcomed him with a lighthearted message and a sweet post-game photo of the couple.
It’s been just over a month since their relationship became public, yet they’ve already become a favorite among fans. Their “hard launch” on Instagram featured a grinning elevator selfie, Rodman kissing Shelton on the cheek, with her playful caption: “Shooters shoot, I guess.” The post went viral almost instantly.
In an interview dated April 14, Shelton reflected on the buzz surrounding their relationship. He admitted he hadn’t expected it to attract so much attention, saying, “I didn’t think it would be a break-the-Internet type of thing.” Still, he believes in being open about his personal life and sees sharing their bond as natural. However, he was candid about the challenges they face, explaining that their intense athletic schedules require real effort. “You gotta make sacrifices,” Shelton said, emphasizing that mutual selflessness has been key to making things work.
Despite their demanding careers, the two continue to show up for each other—Rodman supporting Shelton’s tournaments, and Shelton cheering from the stands at her soccer games. Her Washington Spirit team currently holds third in the league standings, while Shelton boasts a solid 14–8 singles record this season and recently reached the ATP 500 final in Munich.
Though Shelton’s singles campaign in Madrid ended early, he’s still in the doubles draw alongside former World No. 1 Rohan Bopanna. With Rodman cheering from the sidelines, there just might be more magic left to unfold in Madrid for this power couple.
So, is Trinity Rodman’s courtside presence the key to Ben Shelton’s spark? Fans seem to think so—and the love story is only just beginning.