Rodman Travels to Shelton US Open Final to Show Support in New York

Trinity Rodman traveled from a Washington Spirit match in Washington, D.C., to Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, to support Ben Shelton during his first US Open singles final on September 13, 2026. According to sports.yahoo.com, the soccer player used a private jet to make the trip before Shelton faced Alexander Zverev.

Rodman said the journey required extra effort because the Spirit match ended before Shelton's championship appearance. She arrived for the final stages of the match and trophy presentation, where Shelton lost 6-3, 7-6(2), 5-7, 6-2.

"After the game, I got on a little private jet. Splurged on that because it's just important to me, and it was such an amazing time," said Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit forward.

Rodman and Shelton have supported each other's careers despite demanding schedules across professional soccer and tennis. According to sports.yahoo.com, Shelton recognized how difficult the trip from Washington to New York had been.

"I knew she was coming - I knew it was going to be pretty close to impossible to get here," said Ben Shelton, tennis player.

"Even making the effort and trying is insane," said Ben Shelton, tennis player.

Shelton reached his first Grand Slam singles final and became the first Black American man to reach the US Open men's singles final since Arthur Ashe in 1972. Rodman said the result did not reduce the importance of the achievement.

"Even though it wasn't the result that he or I wanted, I think just being there for him in a big moment, and it still was such a big accomplishment," said Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit forward.

Shelton and Rodman have previously traveled to attend each other's competitions. According to sports.yahoo.com, their schedules have required long flights and major adjustments to support each other's sporting milestones.

"We've made a lot of sacrifices for each other," said Ben Shelton, tennis player.

"We've traveled the world to try to support each other," said Ben Shelton, tennis player.

Rodman has also been improving her tennis skills while Shelton has learned more about soccer. According to The Big Lead, Rodman returned a Shelton serve during practice, with the ball traveling at more than 100 mph.

"Yeah, after the game, I got on a little private jet. Splurged on that because it’s just so important to me, and it was such an amazing time, and even though it wasn’t the result that he or I wanted, I think just being there for him in a big moment and… it still was such a big accomplishment. So I think that is the cool thing about tennis.

It’s like you don’t necessarily have to win for it to be a really good achievement. So, yeah, that was an amazing day, and I’m so proud," said Trinity Rodman, Washington Spirit forward.

After the US Open final, Shelton returned to competition in Shanghai and defeated Daniel Altmaier 6-3, 7-6(6) in the Round of 64, according to sports.yahoo.com. He was fourth in the season points standings while seeking a place in his second consecutive ATP Finals.

"I mean, it means everything. Yeah, I knew she was coming. I knew it was going to be pretty close to impossible to get here.

But even just making the effort and trying is insane. I guess she kind of showed up as I was losing, which for her probably sucked, you know, but yeah, it’s, you know, we’ve made a lot of sacrifices for each other. We’ve traveled the world to try to support each other when we can.

It means a lot," said Ben Shelton, tennis player.