Alexander Zverev Strongly Denies ‘Flirting’ Claims with Ben Shelton’s Girlfriend Trinity Rodman: “Whoever Thinks That Is an Idiot”

Alexander Zverev looked genuinely surprised when he was told that some claimed he flirted with Ben Shelton‘s girlfriend Trinity Rodman after the US Open final. Zverev defeated the home favorite in four sets and won the second Grand Slam title of his career.

Rodman, who Shelton often called his “lucky charm”, was, however, not at Flushing Meadows when the match started. She was in Washington for Washington Spirit’s match against Boston Legacy in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).

After Spirit’s 0-3 defeat, Rodman did not waste much time flying to New York to be there in Shelton’s box. She arrived toward the end of the match when Shelton was losing and was seen wiping away her tears during his runner-up speech.

When Zverev was delivering his winner’s speech and mentioning Shelton’s family and team, he noticed Rodman in the box and joked: “Trinity, I thought you had a match today, no? Well played to you too. You’re the lucky charm. Not today, but usually.”

And now, this comment was perceived by some as flirtatious. Zverev is in London for the Laver Cup, and during his interview with Beanyman News, when he was told about those claims, he looked completely shocked.

Trinity Rodman? No, no, definitely not. I love Ben, I love his father, I love his whole family, I like Trinity quite a lot. I think whoever thinks that I was flirting or anything like that are idiots.

ESTO NO PUEDE SER REAL.

— Periodista: "Alguna gente en redes después pensó que tal vez estabas coqueteando un poco con Trinity Rodman…"

— Zverev: "Definitivamente no. Quiero a Ben, a su padre, a toda su familia, y Trinity me cae muy bien. Cualquiera que piense que estaba…

— Tiempo De Tenis (@Tiempodetenis1) September 24, 2026

Shelton, who became the second American man to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick‘s win at the 2003 US Open, knocked out seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz after a five-set thriller in the quarterfinals. He withdrew from the Laver Cup, which starts on September 25.

Alexander Zverev on why the Laver Cup feels special

Alexander Zverev will be playing for Team Europe in the Laver Cup. Sascha, who made his debut in the first edition back in 2017, will be appearing in the tournament for the eighth time in his career, more than any other player. He played in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2024, and holds a 9-7 win-loss record.

I love the competition. I’ve been part of all the European teams that have won the Laver Cup. Of course, we want to bring the Laver Cup back to Europe and try to win it. I think we have the best players in the world here. It’s special to be on a team with them and to build a strong team. We will do everything to win this weekend.

Alexander Zverev said during a practice session (H/T: Tennis365)

Following the Laver Cup, the German will be in Beijing to chase his third title of the season at the ATP 500 China Open. The tournament will also see the return of World No.1 Jannik Sinner.

Sinner will be competing as the defending champion and will chase his seventh title of the season. Earlier this season, he lifted titles in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, Rome, and Wimbledon.

After defending his title in the grass-court Major with a four-set victory over Zverev, the five-time Grand Slam champion was forced to skip the Cincinnati Masters and the US Open due to a knee injury. He will be playing in an ATP 500 event for the second time this season, following the Qatar Open, where Jakub Mensik eliminated him in the quarterfinals.

Because he missed the big events in Cincinnati and New York, he lost 1,950 points as he finished as runner-up in both events last year. He now has a 1,810-point lead over World No.2 Zverev.

Also read: Coco Gauff’s Ex-Coach Explains What Jannik Sinner Should Do to Hire Juan Carlos Ferrero