Trinity Rodman turned a simple relationship tee into one of the US Open's most loaded fashion moments on Wednesday, 2 September. The Washington Spirit forward and 2024 Olympic gold medallist watched from Shelton's player box at Arthur Ashe Stadium wearing a cropped black top reading 'I ♥ MY BOYFRIEND' as she watched tennis star Ben Shelton defeat Hubert Hurkacz in four sets.
The timing gave the otherwise playful shirt an unintended layer of irony. Two days earlier, during Shelton's first-round match against Tallon Griekspoor on 31 August, ESPN had introduced the 24-year-old football star by saying, 'There's Trinity Rodman, also known as Ben Shelton's girlfriend, and also known as a member of the US women's national team.' The accompanying graphic identified her as 'Ben's girlfriend & USWNT player', prompting criticism from viewers who argued that an Olympic gold medallist and one of the NWSL's highest-profile young players had effectively been introduced through her relationship first.
Rodman's Shirt Takes on New Meaning
Trinity Rodman reacting to Ben Shelton advancing to the third round of the US Open 🎉 pic.twitter.com/Zb26qzysJm
— espnW (@espnW) September 2, 2026
Rodman returned to Shelton's player box on Wednesday in the fitted black baby tee, styling the deliberately straightforward slogan as part of an otherwise monochrome match-day look. Rodman has not publicly said the shirt was a response to the earlier broadcast. Its appearance two days after the broadcast, amid the controversy, however, placed the shirt in a noticeably different context.
The distinction matters because Rodman has a résumé that stands independently of her relationship. She helped the USWNT win Olympic gold in Paris in 2024, scoring three goals during the tournament, including the extra-time winner against Japan in the quarter-finals. She was also the 2021 NWSL Rookie of the Year and was named July's NWSL Player of the Month on 6 August after recording five goals and an assist across six matches.
By mid-August, Rodman had already reached 10 NWSL goals for the 2026 season. U.S. Soccer currently lists the forward with 57 senior international appearances, while Washington Spirit identifies her as an active member of its first team.
Rodman Has Corrected Tennis Coverage Before
The US Open moment also follows a previous dispute over how Rodman was discussed while supporting Shelton. During Wimbledon in July 2025, she used Instagram Stories to correct commentators after her name was misstated and discussion repeatedly turned to her estranged father, former NBA player Dennis Rodman.
'For those who don't know... my name is TRINITY not Tiffany,' she wrote on 7 July 2025. Addressing references to her father during Shelton's matches, Rodman added that there was 'no need to bring him up during HIS matches when I don't even want him talked about during mine', before stressing: 'It's him and his loved ones' moment. Thank you.'
A Girlfriend Tee, Without Losing Her Own Name
Rodman and Shelton publicly confirmed their relationship in March 2025 and have since become regular fixtures at each other's sporting events. Her latest appearance came as Shelton defeated Hurkacz 6-3, 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-5 to reach the US Open third round.
Rodman's tee openly embraced the girlfriend label, while the earlier ESPN introduction had drawn criticism for placing that relationship ahead of her sporting career. She can be a visibly proud girlfriend in Shelton's box while still being introduced as Trinity Rodman: Olympic champion, USWNT forward and one of the NWSL's leading players.
