Soccer player Trinity Rodman celebrates after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, won his match against Hubert Hurkacz, of Poland, during the second round of the U.S. Open tennis championships Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, watches her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, compete against Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
American soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, watches her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, play Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, in the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, in New York.(AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Ben Shelton, of the United States, reacts towards his girlfriend American soccer player Trinity Rodman after defeating Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, in the quarterfinal round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, reacts after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, lost the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, reacts after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, lost the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Soccer player Trinity Rodman, center, reacts after her boyfriend Ben Shelton, of the United States, lost the men's singles final of the U.S. Open tennis championships against Alexander Zverev, of Germany, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
NEW YORK (AP) — Trinity Rodman made it from the soccer pitch to the tennis court in time to watch boyfriend Ben Shelton in the U.S. Open final.
Shelton had to begin his first attempt to win a Grand Slam title without Rodman in the stands. She was busy with her own career, playing for the Washington Spirit of the NWSL on Sunday.
Rodman, a star for the U.S. women's national team, was with the Spirit for their 3-0 loss at home to Boston Legacy FC.
But she arrived at some point before the end of Shelton's 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 loss to Alexander Zverev, wearing a shirt with Shelton's face on it, cheering and at one point appearing to wipe away tears during the trophy ceremony.
Article continues after sponsor message
“Trinity, I thought you have a game today,” Zverev said jokingly during his post-match comments. “Well done to you as well. You’re the lucky charm ... not today, but usually.”
Rodman had been at multiple matches at the U.S. Open during Shelton's run to his first major final, including his victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals that ended at 3:33 a.m., the latest finish in U.S. Open history.
She wore a black shirt reading “I (heart) my boyfriend” while watching Shelton's victory in the second round.
___
See AP’s full tennis coverage here
More like this:
