At the 2025 Citi DC Open held in Washington, D.C., Trinity Rodman, girlfriend of tennis sensation Ben Shelton, displayed her support in a unique way by wearing a shirt featuring Shelton’s face. This remarkable gesture took place as Shelton competed in the hard court tournament shortly after his impressive performance at Wimbledon, where he reached the quarterfinals.
Rodman’s distinct shirt, a gift from a fan of the World No. 8 at Wimbledon, became a focal point during Shelton’s doubles match and was an expression of her encouragement. Trinity Rodman, herself a professional athlete playing forward for the U.S. Women’s National Team and Washington Spirit in the NWSL, has publicly confirmed her relationship with Shelton earlier in March 2025.
Ben Shelton’s Performance and Family Support at Citi DC Open
Following his grass court season highlighted by a quarterfinal run at Wimbledon where he lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner, Shelton transitioned to his hard court season at the Citi DC Open. In the doubles event, he partnered with fellow American Frances Tiafoe but faced a tough first-round defeat against the Australian pair Matthew Ebden and John Peers, losing 6-7(3), 3-6.
Despite the doubles loss, Rodman was a visible presence, cheering from the stands in her distinctive black top with Shelton’s image. During Shelton’s singles matches, Rodman supported him wearing a fashionable beige off-shoulder dress, demonstrating her steadfast encouragement as he competed.
Shelton entered the singles draw seeded fourth and started directly in the second round due to a first-round bye. He secured a straight-sets win against American Mackenzie McDonald, 6-3, 6-4, advancing confidently into the third round.
Upcoming Third Round Showdown: Ben Shelton vs. Gabriel Diallo
Shelton’s next challenge at the Citi DC Open will be against the 15th seed Gabriel Diallo. Diallo, a Canadian player, also competed at Wimbledon, where he defeated Daniel Altmaier in the first round but eventually fell to fifth seed Taylor Fritz in a gripping five-set match.
In doubles at Wimbledon, Diallo teamed up with Zizou Bergs but exited early after a close first-round loss. At the Citi DC Open, Diallo began his singles campaign in the second round following a bye, defeating Fábián Marozsán 6-3, 6-4 to earn his spot to face Shelton.
This upcoming third-round encounter will mark the first meeting between Shelton and Diallo on the ATP Tour. The victor will move into the quarterfinals to face one of several contenders, including sixth seed Frances Tiafoe, ninth seed Flavio Cobolli, Yoshihito Nishioka, or Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Significance of Rodman’s Support and Shelton’s Rising Tennis Journey
Trinity Rodman’s visible and heartfelt support at the Citi DC Open highlights the close bond between two rising stars in their respective sports. Shelton’s promising progression in the ATP 500 tournament, backed by such dedicated encouragement, reflects his growing stature in professional tennis.
As the tournament advances, Shelton’s performance could further establish his position among the elite players, while Rodman continues to draw attention for her role as both an athlete and a supporter. Their relationship adds an uplifting narrative to the competitive atmosphere at the Citi DC Open and may inspire fans watching both sports.
“I really appreciate every single fan who shows support. That shirt means a lot to me because it’s a reminder of where I came from and the encouragement I have behind me.”
—Ben Shelton, Tennis Player
“It’s great to witness the support from Trinity. Having someone who understands the pressures of professional sports is invaluable.”
—Frances Tiafoe, Tennis Player
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Ben Shelton sponsored by Rolex?
A. In 2024, Ben Shelton was selected to be a Rolex Testimonee.
Q. What is Ben Shelton’s brand?
A. Sponsors: As of March 2023, Shelton has On as his sponsor for clothes and shoes, while Yonex sponsors his racquets.