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.
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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)
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)
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, 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)
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, then headed north to New York.
She arrived at some point near 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.
“I knew she was coming. I knew it was going to be pretty close to impossible to get here, but even just making the effort and trying is insane,” Shelton said.
“She kind of showed up as I was losing, which for her probably sucked, you know?”
Zverev also took note of Rodman’s presence in his post-match remarks.
“Trinity, I thought you have a game today,” Zverev said jokingly. “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
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)
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)
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, 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)
