Ben Shelton expressed his excitement after witnessing his girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, make an impressive comeback on the soccer field. The American tennis star watched as Rodman entered the game late and scored a decisive goal during stoppage time, clinching a 2-1 victory for the Washington Spirit against the Portland Thorns at Audi Field in Washington, DC.
After being sidelined for over three months with a back injury, the 23-year-old Rodman returned in the 76th minute while her team was still seeking a win. In the sixth minute of stoppage time, she struck a remarkable goal that broke the tie and gave the Spirit a dramatic last-minute triumph, thrilling the home crowd.
Following the match, Shelton shared his enthusiasm on social media by posting a clip of Rodman’s goal, accompanied by the caption:
Plays 15 mins first game back and scores a banger.
—Ben Shelton, Tennis Star
During her injury recovery, Rodman remained a steadfast supporter of Shelton, traveling with him throughout Europe and attending major tennis events, including Wimbledon.
Ben Shelton Advances Confidently at National Bank Open in Toronto
While Rodman made a memorable return to the soccer field, Shelton has been building momentum in both singles and doubles at the National Bank Open in Toronto. As the tournament’s fourth seed, he bypassed the first round and progressively defeated Adrian Mannarino, 23rd seed Brandon Nakashima, and 13th seed Flavio Cobolli, reaching the quarterfinals for the first time.
Shelton’s next opponent in singles is ninth seed Alex de Minaur, marking their first meeting on the ATP Tour. The victor will face either sixth seed Andrey Rublev or the winner between 19th seed Jiří Lehečka and second seed Taylor Fritz in the semifinals.
In doubles, Shelton teams up with French player Arthur Fils. Together, they have triumphed over the American duo Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow, as well as the eighth-seeded pair Hugo Nys and Édouard Roger-Vasselin. The team now prepares to face fourth seeds Kevin Krawietz and Tim Pütz in the quarterfinals. A win would force a semifinal showdown against either Sander Arends/Guido Andreozzi or second seeds Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool.
The Significance of This Moment for Shelton and Rodman
Trinity Rodman’s return and game-winning goal mark an inspiring comeback, emphasizing her resilience and importance to the Washington Spirit. For Ben Shelton, supporting Rodman while advancing in his own tennis career highlights a powerful personal and professional balance. Their simultaneous achievements on the court and field demonstrate determination and talent at pivotal moments.
As Shelton prepares for high-stakes matches in Toronto, and Rodman regains form in soccer, both athletes show promise for continued success in their respective sports. Their journeys reveal the strength of perseverance and mutual support amid challenges, creating anticipation for what lies ahead for this dynamic couple.