NEW YORK (AP) — Trinity Rodman arrived at the U.S. Open final to support her boyfriend, Ben Shelton, after completing her own soccer match for the Washington Spirit of the NWSL. Shelton was competing in his first attempt to win a Grand Slam title but began the match without Rodman in attendance due to her earlier commitment.
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Rodman played in the Spirit's 3-0 loss to Boston Legacy FC on Sunday before making her way to New York. She arrived near the end of Shelton's match against Alexander Zverev, which Shelton lost 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2. Wearing a shirt featuring Shelton's face, Rodman cheered him on and was seen wiping away tears during the trophy ceremony.
“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,” Shelton said. He added that her appearance as he was losing was likely disheartening for her.
Zverev acknowledged Rodman’s support in his post-match comments, jokingly saying, “Trinity, I thought you have a game today. Well done to you as well. You’re the lucky charm ... not today, but usually.”
Rodman had attended multiple matches during Shelton's journey to the final, including his quarterfinal victory over defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, which concluded at 3:33 a.m., marking the latest finish in U.S. Open history. She had worn a shirt that read “I (heart) my boyfriend” during his second-round victory.