Who Is Ben Shelton's Soccer Girlfriend, Trinity Rodman? Their Love Story Started With A DM-Slide
The US Open star and Olympic soccer champion are one of sports' most talked-about couples, and it all began with a simple Instagram message.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleBen Shelton is once again making headlines at the U.S. Open, but the American tennis star's life off the court is also getting a lot of attention. His relationship with soccer sensation Trinity Rodman has become one of the most talked-about romances in sports, especially after the couple revealed the surprisingly simple way their love story began.
As it turns out, Rodman made the first move. Yes! The 23-year-old tennis star and Rodman, a standout player for the U.S. Women's National Team and Washington Spirit, first connected through Instagram. And according to both athletes, the opening message was anything but elaborate.
Ben Shelton revealed his girlfriend made the first move in the relationship
Ben Shelton recently confirmed that his girlfriend was the one who slid into his DMs. Ahead of the U.S. Open, the tennis pro offered fans a glimpse into his adorable bond with Trinity, sharing the first time they met after Rodman awkwardly slid into his DMs one day.
In a video shared on Instagram on August 27, 2026, Shelton confirmed, "I met my girlfriend on Instagram; she sent the first DM." Rodman later shared the full story during an appearance on Kylie Kelce's Not Gonna Lie podcast, admitting that she still finds her first message a little embarrassing. Revealing how she first approached Shelton, said:
"Everything I do is just embarrassing. I'm really embarrassed. I said 'You're sick, fire emoji,' that's it. It worked; he responded within 10 minutes, so I win."
The pair eventually met in person, and their relationship quickly became public. Shelton and Rodman have been openly dating since March 2025, and are now one of the most popular young couples in sports.
Who is Trinity Rodman?
Rodman is more than just Shelton's famous girlfriend. At just 24, she has already established herself as one of the biggest stars in American women's soccer. She plays professionally for the Washington Spirit and has also represented the United States on the international stage. Rodman joined the U.S. Women's National Team in 2022 and was part of the squad that won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Trinity comes from a sporting family. Her father, ex-NBA star Dennis Rodman, has always been big on sports in the household. But Trinity chose a path outside of the NBA and made her own mark in football. She has worked hard over the years to establish her own identity and today enjoys a remarkable career in professional sports.
The couple often shares cutesy posts on their social media. Shelton recently gave fans a funny glimpse into their everyday relationship while discussing the Instagram content that appears on his feed. Speaking about his algorithm on the platform, he shared how posts about the U.S. Women's National Team started appearing on his feed. Shelton immediately knew why: "My girlfriend."
The tennis star also revealed that Rodman regularly sends him cute videos, particularly dog-related content. Shelton explained, "We both love dogs," adding that Rodman recently got a Dalmatian-Pointer mix. Speaking about their shared love for dogs and their distinctive sports backgrounds, the couple shares a sense of humor that doesn't always match. Perhaps that may just make their bond even more adorable.
Trinity Rodman cheers on Ben Shelton from the stands
In recent years, Shelton and Rodman's relationship played out publicly at major sporting events. Rodman has been spotted supporting Shelton during his tennis matches, even while managing her own busy soccer career. The couple's ability to show up for each other has made them fan favorites, with social media followers frequently celebrating their appearances together.
Shelton, meanwhile, is continuing his rise as one of America's most exciting young tennis players. His father, Bryan Shelton, was a professional tennis player before becoming a successful college coach. Bryan later coached Ben at the University of Florida. His mother, Lisa Shelton, also has a background in competitive tennis, while his older sister, Emma Shelton, played college tennis at Florida as well.
With a tennis family behind him and an Olympic soccer star cheering him on, Ben Shelton has no shortage of support!
