Olympic soccer star Trinity Rodman has revealed the social media strategy she employed to initiate her relationship with American tennis player Ben Shelton, admitting that she feels "embarrassed" by her direct approach.
During an appearance on the "Not Gonna Lie" podcast, Rodman recalled sending an initial message to Shelton that kickstarted their romance. "Everything I do is just embarrassing. I’m really embarrassed," Rodman stated. Her opening message to Shelton was concise: "You're sick, fire emoji."
According to Rodman, Shelton responded within 10 minutes, a quick reply that she humorously described as a "win." The couple then met in person a week or two later. Rodman committed fully to the burgeoning relationship, inviting Shelton to stay at her house for their first in-person meeting, a decision she later acknowledged as "crazy" and "insane" but one that ultimately "worked out."
Rodman, a forward for the Washington Spirit, indicated that she felt an instant connection with Shelton. She identified a moment when Shelton helped her break down boxes as a sign that he was a "keeper."
The couple publicly confirmed their relationship in March 2026. Rodman noted that she spent a significant portion of 2025 traveling with Shelton to support him during his tennis season.
Rodman also shared her perspective on the term "WAG," which refers to wives and girlfriends of professional athletes. She expressed a personal affinity for the term, seeing it as a way to simplify her role amidst her own public profile as a professional athlete. "For me, saying WAG, it’s me being like, ‘I’m Ben’s girlfriend,'" she explained, while also acknowledging the reasons for the term's negative perception. She added that the combination of pursuing their respective athletic careers and being a supportive partner feels "so good."