Ben Shelton’s girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, made a memorable appearance at the 2026 US Open on September 2, wearing a black crop top that read “I ♥ MY BOYFRIEND” while supporting Shelton during his second-round match against Hubert Hurkacz. Shelton went on to defeat Hurkacz and advance to the third round. Rodman and Shelton have been publicly dating since March 2025.

Introduction

Trinity Rodman made her support for Ben Shelton impossible to miss at the 2026 US Open.

The U.S. soccer star attended Shelton's second-round match against Hubert Hurkacz at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on September 2, 2026, wearing a black baby-tee-style crop top with the words “I ♥ MY BOYFRIEND.” The playful outfit quickly attracted attention as Rodman cheered for her boyfriend from the stands.

The appearance came just two days after Rodman was also spotted supporting Shelton during his first-round match against Tallon Griekspoor. The couple's presence at the tournament has added a celebrity-sports storyline to Shelton's US Open campaign, but Rodman is also an elite athlete in her own right, playing for the U.S. women's national team and the Washington Spirit.

What Happened?

Rodman attended Shelton's second-round match at the U.S. Open on Wednesday, September 2.

Instead of choosing a conventional spectator outfit, she wore a black cropped T-shirt featuring a simple declaration of affection: “I ♥ MY BOYFRIEND.” She paired the top with black bottoms and accessorized with jewelry, including a tennis-inspired bracelet necklace.

The outfit was particularly fitting given the occasion. Shelton was competing on one of tennis's biggest stages, while Rodman was sitting in the crowd supporting him.

Shelton entered the match after defeating Tallon Griekspoor in four sets in the opening round. He then faced Hubert Hurkacz in the second round.

The official US Open preview described Shelton and Hurkacz as a matchup featuring two powerful servers. Shelton was the No. 8 seed and had already enjoyed an impressive 2026 season, including four tournament titles before the US Open.

Shelton ultimately defeated Hurkacz and moved into the third round.

Key Details

The main details from Rodman's US Open appearance include:

• Who: Trinity Rodman, U.S. soccer star.
• Who she supported: Her boyfriend, American tennis player Ben Shelton.
• Event: 2026 US Open.
• Date: September 2, 2026.
• Venue: Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York.
• Opponent: Hubert Hurkacz of Poland.
• Outfit: Black crop top reading “I ♥ MY BOYFRIEND.”
• Result: Shelton defeated Hurkacz and advanced to the third round.
• Relationship: Rodman and Shelton publicly confirmed their relationship in March 2025.

Rodman had also attended Shelton's opening-round match on August 31, when he defeated Tallon Griekspoor.

Background: Who Is Ben Shelton's Girlfriend?

For people searching “ben shelton girlfriend,” the answer is Trinity Rodman.

Rodman is a professional soccer player who represents the U.S. women's national team and plays in the NWSL for the Washington Spirit. She was part of the U.S. team that won the women's soccer gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She scored three goals and recorded one assist during that Olympic tournament.

She was also named NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2021.

Her own athletic profile is therefore substantial. Rodman is not simply known because of her relationship with Shelton. She has established herself as one of the most recognizable young players in American women's soccer.

U.S. Soccer's 2026 statistics also list Rodman as a USWNT forward, with 10 appearances and six starts in the federation's 2026 statistics at the time reflected by its official database.

How Did Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton Meet?

Rodman recently provided more insight into the beginning of their relationship.

During an appearance on Kylie Kelce's “Not Gonna Lie” podcast, Rodman said she made the first move by sending Shelton a direct message on social media.

She recalled sending a short message accompanied by a fire emoji. Shelton responded quickly, and the two eventually met in person.

Their relationship became public in March 2025, when Shelton shared an Instagram post that effectively confirmed the romance.

Since then, the two have increasingly appeared in support of each other's sporting careers.

Rodman Has Become a Familiar Face at Shelton's Matches

The US Open appearance is not an isolated example of Rodman supporting Shelton.

In August, she surprised him in Montreal during the Canadian Open. Rodman traveled to the tournament after playing for the Washington Spirit and showed up unexpectedly at Shelton's hotel before his match.

Shelton subsequently defended his Canadian Open title, and Rodman publicly celebrated his victory. The ATP Tour described her as one of the prominent members of Shelton's support team.

Earlier in 2026, Rodman also attended Shelton's semifinal at the Dallas Open. Shelton joked afterward about his record when Rodman attends his semifinal matches.

Their appearances show that the relationship is not limited to occasional social-media posts. Both athletes have made visible efforts to support each other despite demanding professional schedules.

The US Open Outfit Wasn't Her Only Viral Moment

Rodman's appearance attracted attention for another reason beyond the crop top.

During Shelton's first-round match on August 31, ESPN introduced Rodman on its broadcast as Shelton's girlfriend while also identifying her as a member of the U.S. women's national team.

Some viewers criticized the presentation because they felt Rodman's accomplishments as an athlete should have been emphasized before her relationship with Shelton. PEOPLE reported that fans pointed out her Olympic gold medal and NWSL career in response to the broadcast.

That discussion adds another layer to Rodman's presence at the tournament.

She was at the US Open as Shelton's partner and supporter, but she is simultaneously an accomplished professional athlete with her own international career.

What Officials and Organizations Said

There was no official statement from the US Open specifically about Rodman's outfit.

The tournament's official coverage, however, confirmed Shelton's second-round matchup with Hurkacz and highlighted Shelton's status as the top-ranked American man entering the tournament. The US Open also noted his strong 2026 record and four titles before Flushing Meadows.

The ATP Tour has separately documented Rodman's support for Shelton throughout the 2026 season, including her surprise appearance in Montreal and her celebration after his Canadian Open victory.

Rodman has also publicly discussed how much she enjoys supporting Shelton. Her comments to Kylie Kelce's podcast showed that she views their ability to understand the demands of elite sport as an important part of their relationship.

Why This Matters

The interest surrounding the ben shelton girlfriend search is partly about celebrity culture, but the story also reflects the unusual dynamic of two young elite athletes dating while competing in different sports.

Shelton's tennis calendar takes him around the world, while Rodman's soccer commitments include the NWSL and international competition with the USWNT.

That makes their public appearances relatively notable because both athletes have demanding schedules of their own.

Rodman's crop top also gave fans an unmistakable visual message. Rather than making a complicated statement, the shirt simply identified Shelton as her boyfriend and made her support clear.

At the same time, the attention surrounding her ESPN introduction demonstrates why descriptions of the couple can be complicated. Rodman is both Ben Shelton's girlfriend and an accomplished soccer player, and one fact does not erase the other.

What Happens Next?

Shelton has now advanced to the third round of the 2026 US Open following his victory over Hurkacz. The tournament continues through September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York.

Whether Rodman will attend Shelton's upcoming matches depends on her own soccer schedule and availability. Her previous appearances suggest she enjoys supporting him when her professional commitments allow.

There is also likely to be continued attention on the pair because both are prominent American athletes with large fan bases.

For now, the clearest confirmed development is simple: Rodman showed up for Shelton at the US Open, and her “I ♥ MY BOYFRIEND” crop top made her support the most visible part of her appearance.

FAQs

Who is Ben Shelton's girlfriend?

Ben Shelton's girlfriend is Trinity Rodman, the U.S. women's national team and Washington Spirit soccer player. The couple publicly confirmed their relationship in March 2025.

What did Trinity Rodman wear to Ben Shelton's US Open match?

Rodman wore a black baby-tee-style crop top featuring the words “I ♥ MY BOYFRIEND.” She paired it with black bottoms and jewelry.

When did Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton start dating?

Rodman and Shelton became publicly known as a couple in March 2025. Rodman later revealed that she initially contacted Shelton through Instagram direct messages.

Did Trinity Rodman attend Ben Shelton's 2026 US Open matches?

Yes. Rodman attended Shelton's first-round match against Tallon Griekspoor on August 31 and his second-round match against Hubert Hurkacz on September 2.

Did Ben Shelton win his US Open match against Hubert Hurkacz?

Yes. Shelton defeated Hurkacz in the second round and advanced to the third round of the 2026 US Open.

Who is Trinity Rodman?

Trinity Rodman is a professional American soccer player who plays for the Washington Spirit and the U.S. women's national team. She won Olympic gold with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Games and was the NWSL Rookie of the Year in 2021.

How did Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton meet?

Rodman has said she made the first move by messaging Shelton on social media. She told Kylie Kelce that she sent him a short message with a fire emoji, and Shelton responded within minutes.

Is Trinity Rodman only known as Ben Shelton's girlfriend?

No. Rodman has an established career as a professional soccer player and U.S. international. She won Olympic gold in 2024 and has played a significant role for both the Washington Spirit and USWNT.

Sources

This article was researched using primary sports organizations and reputable news reporting, with key information cross-checked where possible.

• US Open / USTA — official 2026 tournament coverage and Shelton-Hurkacz match information.
• ATP Tour — coverage of Rodman's support for Shelton during the 2026 season, including her Montreal appearance.
• U.S. Soccer — official information and statistics concerning Rodman's USWNT career.
• PEOPLE — reporting on Rodman's US Open appearance and the reaction to ESPN's introduction.
• Us Weekly — detailed reporting on Rodman's September 2 US Open outfit and Shelton's victory over Hurkacz.
• Sports Illustrated / Just Jared — reporting on Rodman's account of how she and Shelton first connected.

Accuracy note: The phrase “Ben Shelton girlfriend” accurately describes Rodman because the couple has publicly confirmed their relationship. The crop top did not identify Shelton by name; it read “I ♥ MY BOYFRIEND,” with its connection to Shelton established by the context of Rodman's attendance at his match.