American tennis player Ben Shelton is competing in the Round of 16 at Wimbledon on Monday, facing Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego. While Shelton trails early in the match, the spotlight has also fallen on his girlfriend, U.S. women’s soccer star Trinity Rodman, who has drawn attention with her presence in the stands.
Shelton, who played college tennis at the University of Florida and recently reached the U.S. Open semifinals, is currently down 4-1 in the first set against Sonego but the match remains wide open. Shelton, ranked 10th globally and seeded tenth at this year’s Wimbledon, is looking to advance further in one of tennis’s most prestigious tournaments.
Rodman has been a consistent cheerleader during Shelton’s Wimbledon campaign, attending most of his matches and visibly supporting him. ESPN captured moments of her encouragement from the audience, highlighting the couple’s public connection during this key stage of the tournament.
Beyond her athletic achievements, Trinity Rodman carries a complicated family history. She is the daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, but their relationship has been distant and marked by estrangement. Trinity has openly discussed her difficult upbringing and the lack of support from her father on several occasions.
“My dad, he likes to be in control. So he would take us shopping, get us phones, do this, do that. ‘Oh, I’m going to take you and your brother shopping,’ and me and my brother are like, ‘We don’t want to go shopping, we just want money to go get In-N-Out after school with our friends,’”
she shared in an interview with Alex Cooper on Call Her Daddy. —Trinity Rodman, U.S. women’s soccer star
“So it was like, he wouldn’t give us money to do that. He needed to have the control of bringing us shopping and swiping his own card. But if we asked, ‘Hey, could we have $100 to go get food, to go to Claire’s to get my ears pierced,’ just little stuff like that? He was like, ‘No. You’re using me.’”
—Trinity Rodman
Despite attempts at contact for accountability, Rodman remains critical of her father’s absence as a parent.
“I answer the phone now for my conscience, to be like, he needed to hear my voice before anything else happens. That’s why I answer the phone, not for me,”
she said.
“He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else.”
—Trinity Rodman
As Shelton competes under intense pressure in the Wimbledon Round of 16, his relationship with Rodman adds an emotional narrative to his pursuit of Grand Slam success. The match is being broadcast live on ESPN2, drawing fans of both athletes who follow their careers closely. Shelton’s performance at Wimbledon has gained significant attention partly because of his recent rise in the tennis world, and the added public interest generated by Rodman’s high-profile presence.
This Round of 16 match may prove pivotal for Shelton as he aims to build on his prior deep runs in major tournaments. Meanwhile, Rodman’s candid reflections on her family challenges underscore the personal struggles she has overcome while excelling as a soccer star. Together, their journey highlights the intersection of sports, personal hardship, and resilience on one of tennis’s grandest stages.
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 originally studied finance at the University of Florida before switching to an online business program when he went pro. This change allows him to learn and engage with every part of the business side of his tennis career. He finds this important because he makes the final decisions himself.
Q. What degree does Ben Shelton have?
A. In the 2022–23 academic year, Shelton went back to Florida for his junior year to finish his finance degree. Not long after, he opted to continue his college classes online.