Trinity Rodman Grills Boyfriend Ben Shelton In US Open Press Conference
You know, press conferences can be a real snooze fest. You get the same recycled questions, the same tired athlete-speak, and everyone’s just trying to get through it without saying something that will land them in hot water. Trinity Rodman looked to inject some levity into this tired tradition. Every once in a while, something magical happens. Something that reminds you these superhuman athletes are, well, human.
That is exactly what went down late Wednesday night after Ben Shelton handled his business against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open. Shelton, the sixth seed, was wrapping up his media duties when a surprise guest reporter popped up with a question that was pure, unadulterated heat. It wasn’t a seasoned journalist from some big-name outlet. It was his girlfriend, soccer phenom Trinity Rodman. What did she have to say?
Rodman Puts Shelton On the Spot
Fresh off a cross-country red-eye flight from her own game in California, the soccer star decided to have a little fun. Leaning into the microphone, she hit Shelton with a zinger only a significant other could get away with: “How did it feel not being able to serve faster than 135 today?“
The room erupted in laughter. He buried his head in his hands, a perfect mix of embarrassment and amusement washing over his face. “Why did you give her a question?” he pleaded to no one in particular. But she wasn’t done. “I just know you like to serve big, and it wasn’t breaking 140 today,” she said. This is the kind of good-natured ribbing that keeps relationships spicy and sportswriters entertained.
Shelton’s Response and the Power Of Support
After a moment to collect himself, he played along, offering a serious-but-not-so-serious answer about the cold weather and focusing on hitting his spots. It was a classic athlete response, but the context made it hilarious.
This little exchange was more than just a funny clip for social media. It was a glimpse into the life of a modern sports power couple. Earlier in the presser, he had gushed about his girlfriend’s commitment, noting how she had been “grinding to pull up to a lot of tournaments this year.” From Munich to Wimbledon to New York, she has been there. That kind of support is the secret sauce, the stuff that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet but makes all the difference.
As Shelton got up to leave, he fired one last playful shot: “They’ll let anyone in the room at this point, huh?” Yeah, they will. And thank goodness for that. In a sports world that can often feel sterile, a little dose of personality from Trinity Rodman was exactly what the press room needed.
