Trinity Rodman expressed strong frustration at the BBC for their coverage of Ben Shelton’s recent Wimbledon success, accusing the broadcaster of fixating on her estranged father, basketball legend Dennis Rodman, rather than supporting Shelton’s achievements. Shelton, currently ranked world number 10 in tennis, secured notable wins in the third round and Round of 16 matches at Wimbledon, advancing to the quarter-finals as of Monday in London.
Despite these sporting highlights, much of the attention during the BBC broadcast centred on Trinity’s relationship with her father, a topic she has long grappled with personally. This focus overshadowed the support she traveled to London to provide her boyfriend Shelton and his family during the tennis tournament.
Errors and unwanted references trigger backlash from Trinity Rodman
The coverage angered Trinity in particular because BBC commentator Andrew Castle repeatedly misnamed her as ‘Tiffany’ while discussing Shelton’s matches. She publicly addressed the mistake in an Instagram story, emphasizing her correct name and objecting to the needless mention of her father during Ben’s matches.
She wrote,
“For those who don’t know… my name is TRINITY, not Tiffany,”
and added,
“Also, for Ben’s matches, he has his family there as his support system, which includes his dad. My dad’s not even in MY life. No need to bring him up during HIS matches when I don’t even want him talked about during mine. It’s his and his loved ones’ moment. Thank you.”
Castle’s commentary had highlighted Dennis Rodman’s status as
“one of the greatest sportsmen of all time”
and
“the biggest wind-up merchant of all time,”
referencing his defensive prowess alongside Michael Jordan and his contribution to several NBA championship titles. However, this recall of Rodman’s career added to the controversy by diverting attention from Shelton’s own performance on court.
Ben Shelton’s rising career and family support during Wimbledon
Ben Shelton, aged 22, is making a breakthrough at Wimbledon, advancing to the quarter-finals for the first time and preparing to face world number one Jannick Sinner on Wednesday. His strong form has been backed visibly by his family, especially his sister Emma, who was granted special leave from her job at Morgan Stanley to attend the tournament.
Shelton acknowledged the vital role his support network has played during his matches.
“I’ve been playing well this week. It’s not just been me here. I have a great team. My parents are here. My girlfriend’s here,”
he said. He praised his sister Emma as well, calling her a “lucky charm” for being present at every match so far. Shelton even appealed publicly for connections to extend her time off work so she could remain with him and “keep this rolling.”
Complex family dynamics overshadow Trinity Rodman’s visit to London
Trinity’s stay in London was intended as support for Shelton but has been complicated by media attention on her troubled family background. She has openly discussed her difficult relationship with Dennis Rodman, citing his absence in her life and struggles with alcoholism. Trinity previously described him with stark honesty during an interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast:
“He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else.”
She has also shared how her mother suffered mistreatment from Rodman during her childhood, adding layers to the personal challenges she faces when her father is spotlighted publicly. Despite these struggles, Trinity maintains her focus on her own professional basketball career and her support for Shelton, refusing to let the focus on her father detract from their joint moment at Wimbledon.
Implications of media focus amid tennis breakthrough
The controversy around the BBC’s coverage highlights the challenges faced by athletes and their families when private histories attract public scrutiny, especially during major sporting events. Shelton’s Wimbledon success and his team’s strong backing offer a promising path forward for the young American as he prepares to confront top competitors. Meanwhile, Trinity’s vocal reaction draws attention to the importance of respecting personal boundaries amid media narratives.
As Shelton continues his quest for Wimbledon glory, the hope remains that coverage will focus more on his achievements and support system, reflecting the true story of his rising tennis career rather than the complicated personal histories of those around him.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ben Shelton sponsored by Rolex?
A. In 2024, Ben Shelton was chosen to be a Rolex brand ambassador.
Q. What is Ben Shelton’s brand?
A. On Brand has supported Shelton since March 2023. Initially, Shelton was the only active men’s tennis player they signed. They already had Roger Federer linked to the shoe line, making Shelton’s partnership feel unique.