How Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman support each other's pro careers

Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton's relationship started with an Instagram message.

"I said, 'You're sick ... fire emoji,'" Rodman recalled on Kylie Kelce's "Not Gonna Lie" podcast earlier this month. "(Shelton) responded and was like, 'Yeah, you were sick at the Olympics too.' Yeah. That happened. He matched the cringe situation. And then I think maybe a week or two later we met in person."

Rodman, an Olympic gold medalist in soccer, and Shelton, the top American male singles player in tennis, first announced their relationship in March 2025 on – you guessed it – Instagram. The couple have been inseparable ever since, showing up and supporting each other at their respective sporting events.

Rodman and Shelton are superstar athletes in their own regard. But together, they are one of the leading power couples in sports.

Rodman was the youngest player to be drafted in National Women's Soccer League history at the time at age 18, and she led the Washington Spirit to their first NWSL championship as a rookie in 2021. She also helped Team USA win Olympic gold at the 2024 Paris Games.

Shelton is currently ranked No. 9 in the world on the ATP Tour and is the No. 8 seed at this year's US Open. He has seven career titles under his belt with a 144–90 career record. Shelton has yet to win a Grand Slam, but he's knocking on the door with multiple major semifinal appearances.

Despite each athlete navigating their own grueling schedule that often finds them in different places (or continents) any given time of the year, Shelton and Rodman find time to support each other's goals.

"It's definitely hard ... it's like, 'Oh my gosh, we don't get to see each other at all," Rodman told USA TODAY Sports. "We are so good at understanding each other's schedules and the way we operate and times when we need advice, times when we don't. So going through that together has been amazing."

Rodman added, "I think we're always so good at supporting each other. And yeah, just being individuals as well, I think has been huge for us of not getting so blended together."

Rodman was on hand for Shelton's 1-6, 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-2 first-round win over Tallon Griekspoor on Monday and his 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(3), 6-5 second-round victory against Hubert Hurkacz Wednesday, Sept. 2, where she wore a "I (heart) my boyfriend" shirt.

Earlier, Rodman recently surprised Shelton at the 2026 Canadian Open, which he won for the second consecutive year. Ahead of Shelton's fourth-round match, Rodman flew to Montreal after the Washington Spirit's 4-3 loss to the North Carolina Courage in Washington, D.C. She called supporting her beau, "the best feeling in the world."

"I think to know we're both on the grind, running our bodies to the ground, always exhausted, doing what we love, and then to also be able to be a little WAG in a sense, it feels so good for us," Rodman told Kelce. "We do enjoy it a lot because I don't ... look at him and I'm like, 'He's an athlete.' I look at him like that's my rock. And every time I do something, I just love to be able to look at him and know that we're on the same page thinking something."

When Rodman attended Shelton's Stuttgart Open win in June, he called Rodman his "good luck charm."

"I want to thank my girlfriend for flying here from Brazil," Shelton said on the podium. "I won a title at I think every tournament she's been at this year. ... I really appreciate you making the effort."

The support is mutual. Shelton attended the Spirit's 2-1 win over the Houston Dash on July 3, where Rodman scored two goals, including a game-winner in stoppage time. Following the winning goal, Rodman ran over to the stands to share a celebratory kiss with Shelton.

The Tennis Channel labeled Shelton and Rodman the most athletic couple in the country, but Rodman was hesitant to claim the title. She pointed to a pair of basektball stars – the Las Vegas Aces' Aja Wilson and Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo – adding, "I would be scared to play the same sport, because I feel like if Ben (Shelton) were to say anything coachable, I would lose my mind."