Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton are one of American sports’ most closely followed young couples. Rodman is a forward for the Washington Spirit and the United States women’s national soccer team, while Shelton is a leading American player on the ATP Tour.
They made their relationship public in March 2025 after Shelton shared a photograph of Rodman kissing his cheek. Since then, they have supported each other at tennis tournaments and soccer matches, exchanged affectionate social-media posts and occasionally brought their playful relationship into post-match interviews.
As of July 2026, Rodman and Shelton are still publicly together. Their latest widely reported appearance came after Rodman scored twice for the Spirit against the Houston Dash and celebrated with Shelton near the stands. Although their relationship is visible, they have deliberately kept details such as how they first met private.
Are Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton Dating?
Yes. Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton have been publicly dating since March 2025.
The relationship was confirmed when Shelton included an elevator photograph of Rodman kissing his cheek in an Instagram carousel posted on March 17, 2025. Rodman responded playfully in the comments, ending the speculation that had developed after the two exchanged messages on social media.
Their relationship remained public throughout 2025 and into 2026. Rodman attended several of Shelton’s tournaments, while Shelton appeared at Spirit matches and interviewed Rodman following one of her performances. In June 2026, Shelton thanked Rodman after winning the Stuttgart Open and described her as his “lucky charm.”
Who Is Trinity Rodman?
Trinity Rodman is an American professional soccer player who plays as a forward for the Washington Spirit and the U.S. women’s national team.
Born on May 20, 2002, Rodman became one of the youngest players selected in National Women’s Soccer League draft history. She developed into an important attacking player for both club and country and was part of the United States squad that won the women’s soccer gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Her official U.S. Soccer profile lists her as a Washington Spirit forward and records her national-team appearances, goals and assists.
Rodman’s speed, direct running and ability to create scoring opportunities have established her as a prominent athlete independently of her well-known family background.
Who Is Ben Shelton?
Ben Shelton is an American professional tennis player known for his powerful left-handed serve, athletic playing style and energetic celebrations.
Born on October 9, 2002, Shelton played college tennis at the University of Florida before turning professional. He reached the US Open semifinals in 2023 and the Australian Open semifinals in 2025. He later won his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the 2025 Canadian Open.
Shelton reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 5 in November 2025. His latest ranking, results and career statistics can be found on Ben Shelton’s official ATP profile.
His father and coach, Bryan Shelton, is a former professional tennis player who also coached college tennis.
Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton’s Relationship Timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| Early March 2025 | Social-media exchanges caused fans to suspect that they were dating. |
| March 17, 2025 | Shelton confirmed the relationship by posting a photograph of Rodman kissing his cheek. |
| March 27, 2025 | Rodman posted her own photograph with Shelton and captioned it “Dibs.” |
| April 2025 | Shelton said the relationship was going well but declined to reveal how they met. |
| July 2025 | Rodman attended Wimbledon and supported Shelton during his run to the quarterfinals. |
| August 2025 | Rodman celebrated Shelton’s Canadian Open title and attended his US Open matches. |
| September 2025 | Shelton interviewed Rodman after a Washington Spirit victory. |
| June 2026 | Shelton called Rodman his lucky charm after winning the Stuttgart Open. |
| July 2026 | Shelton attended a Spirit match in which Rodman scored twice, including the winning goal. |
Early March 2025: Their online exchanges attract attention
Before confirming the relationship, Rodman and Shelton interacted publicly on TikTok and other social-media platforms.
The messages appeared flirtatious, leading followers of both sports to wonder whether the athletes were dating. They did not immediately provide an explanation, allowing the relationship to become public on their own terms rather than through an interview or representative.
March 17, 2025: Shelton makes the relationship public
Shelton confirmed their romance by sharing a photograph in which Rodman kissed him on the cheek inside an elevator.
The image appeared near the end of a larger Instagram carousel rather than as a formal relationship announcement. Rodman’s playful response in the comments further confirmed that the photograph was not merely a friendly pose.
This date is generally treated as the beginning of their publicly documented relationship, although they may have been seeing each other before the post.
March 27, 2025: Rodman posts Shelton
Rodman followed Shelton’s announcement with a photograph of the pair on her own account.
She captioned the image “Dibs,” while Shelton replied with another joking comment. The exchange showed that both were comfortable acknowledging the relationship while keeping the tone informal.
April 2025: Shelton explains their approach to privacy
In one of his first interviews about Rodman, Shelton said the relationship had been positive. However, he declined to explain exactly how they had met.
He indicated that they wanted to preserve certain details for themselves. That boundary has remained consistent: both athletes share selected moments publicly without offering a detailed account of their private lives.
July 2025: Rodman supports Shelton at Wimbledon
Rodman attended Wimbledon with members of Shelton’s family as he reached the men’s singles quarterfinals.
Her appearance attracted attention outside soccer, but Rodman pushed back when coverage focused more heavily on her family connections than on her own accomplishments as an international athlete. The moment illustrated one of the challenges the couple faces: both have established careers, yet public coverage can sometimes treat one merely as the other’s guest.
August 2025: A major title and a playful US Open moment
Rodman celebrated Shelton’s victory at the 2025 Canadian Open, where he earned his first Masters 1000 title.
Later that month, she attended the US Open and surprised Shelton during a post-match press conference. After his second-round victory, Rodman jokingly asked why he had not served faster than 135 mph.
Shelton laughed, questioned why reporters had allowed her to participate and blamed the cooler conditions for the reduced speed. The exchange appeared in the US Open’s 2025 quotes roundup.
September 2025: Shelton interviews Rodman
The roles were reversed after a Washington Spirit victory in September 2025.
Shelton appeared at Rodman’s post-match media session and asked her questions about the game and the Spirit’s improving health. The ATP Tour and NWSL both covered the light-hearted interview, which followed Rodman’s earlier appearance at Shelton’s US Open press conference.
The two moments demonstrated the couple’s competitive humour while also showing their interest in each other’s sports.
June 2026: Shelton calls Rodman his lucky charm
Rodman travelled from Brazil, where she had been playing with the USWNT, to watch Shelton compete at the Stuttgart Open in Germany.
After defeating Taylor Fritz in the final on June 14, Shelton thanked Rodman during his victory speech. He noted that he had won titles at the tournaments she had attended that year and called her his lucky charm.
Rodman wore a customised “Ben 10” top while supporting him, referencing Shelton’s first name and his association with the number.
July 2026: Shelton watches Rodman’s two-goal performance
One of their most recent public moments occurred during the Washington Spirit’s 2–1 win over the Houston Dash on July 3, 2026.
Rodman scored both Spirit goals, including a stoppage-time winner. The Washington Spirit’s match recap confirms her decisive two-goal performance.
After the winning goal, Rodman ran toward Shelton and celebrated with him near the stands. She described his presence as bittersweet because he had been able to attend after an unexpectedly early Wimbledon defeat, but she was pleased that their limited schedules had allowed them to spend time together.
How Did Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton Meet?
Rodman and Shelton have not publicly disclosed exactly how or when they first met.
Shelton has acknowledged that they intentionally kept the story private. This means claims that a particular athlete, friend or event introduced them should not be treated as confirmed unless Rodman or Shelton verifies the account.
Tennis player Frances Tiafoe jokingly suggested that he was responsible for introducing them, but Rodman later disputed that version. Their early social-media interactions became visible in March 2025, although those exchanges do not establish where their relationship began.
How Do They Manage Two International Sports Careers?
Rodman and Shelton both follow demanding travel schedules.
Shelton’s ATP season takes him through North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Rodman balances Washington Spirit matches with USWNT camps and international fixtures. Their competition calendars frequently overlap or place them on different continents.
They appear to support each other by attending events whenever their schedules allow rather than travelling together continuously. Rodman has attended tournaments including Wimbledon, the Canadian Open, the US Open and Stuttgart. Shelton has attended Spirit matches and participated in Rodman’s post-match media activities.
Rodman has also discussed how Shelton encouraged her to prioritise her health while dealing with an injury. Their public comments suggest that understanding the physical and emotional demands of elite sport is an important part of their relationship.
Why Does Their Relationship Attract So Much Attention?
Rodman and Shelton are both successful young American athletes competing in internationally followed sports.
Their relationship also offers an unusual crossover between professional soccer and tennis. Fans who primarily follow one athlete are frequently introduced to the other through tournament appearances, match celebrations and social-media posts.
However, neither should be defined only through the relationship. Rodman has built an established career with the Spirit and USWNT, while Shelton has reached the later rounds of Grand Slam tournaments and won major ATP titles. Their public interactions attract attention partly because each already has a distinct sporting audience.
Are Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton Engaged?
There is no verified public announcement that Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton are engaged or married as of July 2026.
Photographs from weddings, affectionate captions or references such as “soulmate” do not constitute an engagement announcement. Neither athlete has publicly displayed an engagement ring while formally announcing plans to marry.
Until they make such a statement themselves, reports claiming that they are engaged should be treated as speculation.
Do Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton Live Together?
Neither athlete has publicly confirmed that they permanently live together.
Their careers require them to spend substantial time travelling. Rodman is based around her Washington Spirit commitments, while Shelton trains and competes on the international tennis circuit.
They have shared photographs from trips and periods spent together, but those posts do not confirm a shared permanent residence. Their decision to keep some relationship details private should be respected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton still together?
Yes. As of July 2026, they are still publicly together. Shelton attended Rodman’s July 3 match against the Houston Dash, where she scored twice and celebrated with him following the winning goal.
When did Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton start dating?
They made their relationship public on March 17, 2025. Their exact first date and the point at which the relationship began privately have not been disclosed.
Who confirmed the relationship first?
Ben Shelton provided the first clear public confirmation by posting an Instagram photograph of Trinity Rodman kissing his cheek.
Did Frances Tiafoe introduce Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman?
Rodman has indicated that Tiafoe did not introduce them, despite his joking suggestion that he deserved credit. The couple has chosen not to reveal the actual story.
How old are Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton?
Rodman was born on May 20, 2002, while Shelton was born on October 9, 2002. Rodman is 24 and Shelton is 23 as of July 2026.
Does Trinity Rodman attend Ben Shelton’s tennis matches?
Yes. She has publicly supported him at events including Wimbledon, the Canadian Open, the US Open and the Stuttgart Open.
Does Ben Shelton attend Trinity Rodman’s soccer matches?
Yes. Shelton has attended Washington Spirit matches, participated in a post-match interview with Rodman and watched her score twice against the Houston Dash in July 2026.
Are Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton married?
No verified source has announced that they are married.
Conclusion
Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton confirmed their relationship in March 2025 and have since become known for supporting each other across soccer and tennis.
Their public moments include Wimbledon appearances, tournament celebrations, playful press-conference questions and Shelton watching Rodman score a dramatic match-winning goal. At the same time, they have kept important details—particularly how they met and how they organise their private lives—to themselves.
As of July 2026, Rodman and Shelton remain publicly together, but there is no confirmed engagement or marriage announcement.
