The demanding schedules of professional sports often make personal relationships difficult to maintain, but soccer star Trinity Rodman and tennis standout Ben Shelton have found a way to become one of the most supportive power couples in athletics. Despite traveling to different continents and pushing their bodies to the limit, the two elite athletes have consistently shown up for one another, balancing individual greatness with mutual support.
Their relationship began in a modern way: with a direct message on Instagram. Speaking on Kylie Kelce’s "Not Gonna Lie" podcast, Rodman recalled sending Shelton a message saying, "You're sick," accompanied by a fire emoji. Shelton matched the energy, replying that she was also "sick at the Olympics." The exchange led to an in-person meeting about a week or two later. By March 2025, the couple officially announced their relationship to the public on Instagram, and they have been highly visible supporters of each other's careers ever since.
Both Rodman and Shelton have established themselves as superstars in their respective sports. Rodman made history at age 18 as the youngest player ever drafted into the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). As a rookie in 2021, she guided the Washington Spirit to their inaugural NWSL championship, and she later played a pivotal role in helping Team USA secure an Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games. Meanwhile, Shelton has risen to No. 9 in the world rankings on the ATP Tour. Holding the No. 8 seed at this year's US Open, the American left-hander has accumulated seven career singles titles and a 144–90 career record, with multiple major semifinal appearances keeping him on the cusp of his first Grand Slam title.
Navigating their individual careers requires immense coordination, but Rodman emphasizes that their shared experiences as elite athletes help them connect. She explained that while it can be difficult when they do not see each other for long stretches, they excel at understanding each other's schedules and knowing when to offer advice or when to simply give each other space. Rodman noted that maintaining their individual identities within the relationship has been a crucial factor in their success, ensuring they do not get too blended together.
This mutual support has been on full display during recent tournaments. Rodman was in the stands on Monday to watch Shelton battle through a first-round US Open match against Tallon Griekspoor, winning 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2. She returned on Wednesday, Sept. 2, wearing an "I (heart) my boyfriend" T-shirt to cheer him on during a hard-fought second-round victory over Hubert Hurkacz, which ended 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-5. Earlier in the summer, Rodman surprised Shelton at the 2026 Canadian Open in Montreal. Following a tough 4-3 loss with the Washington Spirit against the North Carolina Courage in Washington, D.C., Rodman immediately caught a flight to Canada to support Shelton, who went on to win the tournament for the second consecutive year. Rodman described the opportunity to support him as the best feeling in the world.
The travel has gone both ways. In June, Rodman traveled to Germany to watch Shelton win the Stuttgart Open. During his trophy presentation, Shelton expressed his gratitude, calling her his "good luck charm" and thanking her for making the effort to fly all the way from Brazil. He noted on the podium that he had won a title at every tournament she had attended that year.
Reflecting on her dual role as a champion athlete and a supportive partner, Rodman shared that she enjoys being a "WAG" in a sense, knowing that both of them are constantly exhausted and pushing their bodies to the limit for the sports they love. She described Shelton as her "rock" rather than just another athlete, emphasizing the deep connection they share. While the Tennis Channel recently labeled them the most athletic couple in the United States, Rodman was quick to downplay the title, pointing instead to basketball stars A'ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces and Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat. She also joked about the boundary between their sports, admitting she would be too scared to play tennis with Shelton because she would lose her mind if he tried to offer her any coaching advice.
Related Articles
Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.