Ben Shelton Reacts to Girlfriend Trinity Rodman’s ‘Insane’ Gesture After US Open Upset: “It Was Close to Impossible”

While Ben Shelton was battling it out on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Sunday (September 13), on the same day, his girlfriend Trinity Rodman was in Washington playing for her team Washington Spirit against Boston Legacy in the National Women’s Soccer League. Right after her team’s 3-0 defeat, Rodman wasted no time in flying to New York and arrived at some point just before his four-set defeat to Alexander Zverev.

Sascha, during the trophy presentation, expressed his surprise upon spotting Rodman in Shelton’s box, calling her his “lucky charm”. That she traveled all the way from Washington to New York due to their schedule clash was called “insane” by Shelton.

It means everything. Yeah, I knew she was coming. I knew it was going to be pretty close to impossible to get here, but even just making the effort and trying is insane. She kind of showed up as I was losing, which for her probably sucked.

Ben Shelton said at the press conference

Rodman also surprised Shelton during the Canadian Open when she made an unexpected visit in Montreal. She knocked on the door, and when Shelton opened it, he stood there with his mouth open before he closed it in her face in a joking manner.

Shelton went on to defend his title at the Canadian Open by defeating compatriot Brandon Nakashima. It was, in fact, his fourth title of the season after wins in Dallas, Stuttgart, and Munich.

But we’ve made a lot of sacrifices for each other. We’ve traveled the world to try to support each other when we can. It means a lot, and same with my family and friends.

Ben Shelton added

Before reaching the final at Flushing Meadows, Shelton sent shockwaves when he upset defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the quarterfinals. Then, in an all-American semifinal, Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe to become the second American man since Andy Roddick‘s win at the 2003 US Open to progress to a Grand Slam final.

Ben Shelton reflects on what went wrong during the final

Had Ben Shelton won the match, he would have become the first American man since Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open to win a Grand Slam title. In a battle of two of the best servers on tour, Shelton converted just one of the three break point opportunities he created. But then there’s another aspect of his game that he believes cost him the match.

I definitely did not execute from the ground that I wanted to. As the match went on, I would not ask myself anything more on the backhand side, but I did not hit my forehand well today. I was not accurate with it when I attacked with it. I made too many errors when I had the ball there on my strings.

Zverev has improved his head-to-head record over Shelton to a perfect 6-0. This was the first time they faced each other in a Grand Slam event and the second time in a tour-level final.

I had to put a great return into play, or if I had the ball sitting up, or had a forehand sitting up on the baseline, I was not amazing attacking with my forehand. I was not great in transition. I made too many errors. I think that is the big piece for me. I want to be more lethal with more forehand. It is not easy playing a guy like him, where there are very few chances.

Ben Shelton added

On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina denied the three-peat to Aryna Sabalenka. Both Zverev and Rybakina will finish this season with two Major titles.

Also read: Alexander Zverev Responds to Hilarious Score Confusion on Match Point After Winning the US Open