Ben Shelton has opened up on his relationship with USWNT star Trinity Rodman after she jetted in to watch him in action at the US Open. The ATP No. 6 ‘hard launched’ their relationship earlier this year with a sweet Instagram post, and Rodman has since become a regular face in Shelton’s box.
The couple are often left juggling their careers alongside their relationship. Rodman, who is a forward for the Washington Spirit, caught a red-eye flight just to be there for Shelton’s opening match in Flushing Meadows this week. But the American tennis ace believes there are plenty of positives to dating another athlete.
“I think it’s really cool for both of us to be able to see each other in our respective sports and, you know, witness what it takes and how difficult it is to stay at the top,” the recent Canadian Open champion told Vogue.
“The soccer life, the US Women’s national team, it was all kind of new to me, and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to get to know it – and to know more about her life in it.”
While tennis and football are two completely different sports, Shelton and Rodman have also helped one another deal with the mental challenges of being a top athlete.
He added: “If there’s shared advice, I think it’s definitely about the mental stuff – not skills, exactly. But the mental toughness and perseverance, and dealing with the difficulties that come up – I think that’s one and the same across all sports, actually.”
Rodman had more time to travel on the tennis tour with Shelton earlier this year, as she suffered a back injury that kept her off the pitch for four months. But she returned to the Washington Spirit squad just a few weeks ago and scored the winner in their game against Portland Thorns FC.
The 23-year-old was also in action against Bay FC on Saturday night, coming off in the 78th minute. But that didn’t stop her from flying to New York to watch Shelton get his US Open campaign underway in the first match on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday morning.
And she came prepared, wearing custom embroidered trousers with Shelton’s name on them. After beating Ignacio Buse 6-3 6-2 6-4, the world No. 6 thanked his girlfriend for making the trip.
“My girlfriend took the red-eye from California last night to be here,” he told the cheering fans on Arthur Ashe Stadium. “We’re here for the long haul, and just looking forward to it.”
Shelton will return to Arthur Ashe Stadium to face two-time US Open semi-finalist Pablo Carreno Busta in Wednesday’s night session.
The Washington Spirit aren’t back in action until Sunday, so Rodman could well return to cheer her partner on before flying back to join the squad.
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