ESPN faced widespread criticism on Monday for mistakenly calling Trinity Rodman, the girlfriend of tennis player Ben Shelton and a USWNT star, by the wrong name during Wimbledon 2025 coverage. This occurred during Shelton’s fourth-round match at SW19, where he triumphed over Lorenzo Sonego to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.
After dropping the first set, Shelton rebounded strongly to defeat Sonego in four sets on Court No. 1, with scores of 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(1), 7-5. Trinity Rodman, an Olympic gold medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympics with the US women’s soccer team, was present in his player box alongside Shelton’s family, including his sister Emma and father Bryan Shelton.
Despite her prominent presence, viewers expressed frustration as the commentators repeatedly called Trinity by the incorrect name “Tiffany” throughout the broadcast. This error ignited anger among fans, who viewed the mistake as disrespectful given Rodman’s accomplishments.
Fans criticize ESPN commentators for name errors and focus on Rodman’s father
Supporters reacted strongly to the broadcast’s failure to properly recognize Trinity Rodman, particularly as attention shifted toward her father, Dennis Rodman, a five-time NBA champion known for his career with teams like the Bulls, Lakers, and Spurs. Several fans voiced displeasure at the commentators emphasizing her father’s legacy instead of celebrating her own achievements.
“I am filled with rage at the incessant disrespect shown toward GOLD MEDAL WINNING CHAMPION Trinity Rodman by this pathetic fucking @espn coverage of Wimbledon. They put more emphasis on her irrelevant father than her. It’s INFURIATING. Do better @espn,” one fan wrote.
“If these Wimbledon broadcasters call Trinity Rodman ‘Tiffany’ one more time, I might lose my mind,” another said.
“Espn’s court one broadcast repeatedly calling trinity rodman ‘tiffany’ and talking about her father’s career instead of her own is so disappointing,” one fan said.
“Somebody tell Andrew Castle it’s Trinity Rodman ffs not Tiffany,” one user commented.
“Wimbledon commentator getting Trinity Rodman’s name wrong then immediately talking about her father… crazy,” one fan said.
“The Wimbledon announcer keeps calling Trinity Rodman “Tiffany”” another wrote in frustration.
Aside from the tennis spotlight, Trinity Rodman also shines as a forward for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL. She helped lead the team to win the Championship in 2021 and the Challenge Cup in 2025, reinforcing her status as a top-tier athlete in women’s soccer.
Ben Shelton addresses misnaming incident during Wimbledon press conference
Errors regarding Trinity Rodman’s name extended beyond ESPN’s commentary. At a press conference following Shelton’s third-round victory, a journalist incorrectly referred to her as “Tiffany,” prompting Shelton to clarify the mistake for those present. This moment underscored the persistence of the mix-up and highlighted the need for greater awareness about Rodman’s identity.
Looking ahead in the tournament, Ben Shelton faces a challenging quarterfinal match against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who was competing against Grigor Dimitrov in the fourth round. Additionally, tennis legend Novak Djokovic is scheduled to play Italy’s Flavio Cobolli in the adjacent quarterfinal.
The controversy around the misnaming incident has drawn significant attention to both Rodman and Shelton, spotlighting the importance of accurate representation for athletes and their families during major sporting events like Wimbledon. How ESPN and other media outlets respond moving forward could influence viewers’ trust and respect for their Wimbledon coverage.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ben Shelton sponsored by Rolex?
A. In 2024, Ben Shelton was chosen as a Rolex Testimonee.
Q. Does Ben Shelton have a degree?
A. He was a finance major at the University of Florida but changed to an online business degree when he went professional. He is embracing the chance to learn about every part of the business side of his tennis career, especially since he makes the final decisions.