Ben Shelton shouted out to his sister and best friend in the stands after his win over Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open early Wednesday ― but failed to mention his girlfriend, U.S. soccer star Trinity Rodman, who was also in attendance.
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When Shelton wrapped up his five-set marathon victory after 3:30 a.m. local time, he told the crowd: “I’m just hoping my best friend and sister over there don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m. in three hours. It would be huge for their employers to let them have the day off today.”
“What about me?” a lightheartedly annoyed Rodman appeared to say as the camera panned over to her.
Trinity Rodman was PISSED Ben Shelton didn’t mention her after the match 😭
Shelton: “I’m just hoping my best friend and sister over there don’t have to be at work at 6 AM in 3 hours…”
Trinity Rodman: “What about me??” pic.twitter.com/wzXN2ClnoB
— BrickCenter (@BrickCenter_) September 9, 2026
No. 8 seed Shelton, the first American to beat defending champion Alcaraz in a Grand Slam match, will now face fellow American Frances Tiafoe in a semifinal. Both are vying to become the first American to win the Open since Andy Roddick in 2003 and the first Black man to triumph since Arthur Ashe in 1968.
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But milestone-seeking aside, Shelton might have some explaining to do. (Although the two did appear to exchange a cute “call me” gesture at one point.)
Rodman, an Olympic gold medalist and the daughter of basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, has been seen cheering on her tennis beau in New York while balancing that with her National Women’s Soccer League schedule for the Washington Spirit.
The pro athletes became Instagram official in March 2025.
USA Today noted that the Spirit will play again on Sunday against Boston, the same day as the men’s final, should Shelton reach it.
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But that would be a conflict the couple would probably love to have.
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