Trinity Rodman's 'embarrassing' first DM to US Open star and boyfriend Ben Shelton
Trinity Rodman sent what she described as an 'embarrassing' first DM to tennis star boyfriend Ben Shelton - that he responded to within 10 minutes.
Rodman, who plays for National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) title-chasers Washington Spirit and is believed to be the highest-paid player in women's football, watched on as Shelton defeated Carlos Alcaraz in a five-set thriller at the US Open.
Rodman and Shelton have been dating since early 2025 and she has opened up on their very first meeting.
'It worked, so I win...' - Trinity Rodman's first DM to Ben Shelton
During an appearance on the 'Not Gonna Lie' podcast with Kylie Kelce, the 24-year-old revealed that she reached out to Shelton on Instagram and called him 'sick' - before a move which she described as 'insane' in hindsight.
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"I fully committed to this guy that I didn't even meet yet, for him to stay at my house for the weekend," Rodman explained. "It's actually crazy, it's insane, but it worked out.
"Everything I do is just embarrassing. I'm really embarrassed. I said 'You're sick, fire emoji'. That's it. It worked... he responded within 10 minutes, so I win!"
Fortunately, Shelton had been watching Rodman and the USWNT - who are managed by Emma Hayes - win the gold medal at the 2024 Olympics women's football tournament, and replied in kind.
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"'Yeah, you were sick at the Olympics too, ha ha'," Rodman recalled him replying. "He matched the cringe situation, and then I think a week or two later we met in person."
Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman will earn millions this year
According to the US Open's official website, Shelton had earned $3.5 million in prize money across 2026 prior to his quarter-final win over Alcaraz.
He is guaranteed earnings of $1.45 million for reaching the last four at Flushing Woods, with $2.8 million on offer for the runner-up. The winner will net an eye-watering $5.5 million.
Rodman, meanwhile, signed a new three-year contract with Washington Spirit in January amid interest from Women's Super League side Chelsea.
She is one of the most high-profile players in women's football and has so far won 57 caps for the USWNT, scoring 13 times.
The NWSL had introduced a High Impact Player rule in December which allowed clubs to spend over $1 million over the salary cap on players who met certain criteria. A contract extension for Rodman was blocked under the old regulations.
She was a free agent at the time her renewal was completed, and ESPN report that she is earning a salary of $2 million per year - a figure which is still believed to make her the highest-paid female player in the world.
There was initial speculation that Alexia Putellas' move to London City Lionesses would rival that figure, but The Athletic report that the two-time Ballon d'Or winner's base salary per year is in fact around ā¬1 million ($1.16 million).
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Topics:Ā Tennis, US Open, Womens Football
Ryan Smart