Trinity Rodman, a star player for the Washington Spirit, will be unable to attend her boyfriend Ben Shelton's U.S. Open men's singles final debut on Sunday due to a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) scheduling conflict. The Athletic reported that Rodman's team has a crucial game in Boston at 1 p.m. ET, which overlaps with Shelton's scheduled match against Alexander Zverev at 2 p.m. ET in Queens.
The Washington Spirit is currently competing for first place in the NWSL, trailing the league-leading Gotham by five points with the regular season winding down. Sunday's game carries significant playoff implications for the team.
Rodman, 24, has been a visible supporter of Shelton throughout his U.S. Open run, attending several of his matches. She was present for his quarterfinal victory over Carlos Alcaraz, a match that concluded early on September 3, 2026. Following that late-night win, Rodman participated in Shelton's signature "dialed in" phone celebration.
Rodman was back at training by 9 a.m. the morning after Shelton's quarterfinal match, and the Spirit has confirmed her participation in Sunday's game. This situation highlights the challenges professional athletes face in balancing demanding careers with personal relationships.
Shelton has also made efforts to support Rodman's career, including a notable quick turnaround in November 2025. After a match in Turin, Italy, he flew to attend the Spirit's semifinal NWSL playoff game the following day and later supported Rodman at the NWSL Championship. Shelton has spoken about the importance of having a partner who understands the pressures of professional sports.
Shelton, 23, has a chance to make history at the U.S. Open. He is aiming to become the first American man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Andy Roddick in 2003. He has already become the first Black man to reach the U.S. Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972.