The energy around Ben Shelton has shifted, but his drive hasn’t faded a bit. After a tough quarterfinal loss to Alexander Zverev at the Cincinnati Masters, Shelton turned to social media, showing off the steady confidence that’s defined his breakout. Meanwhile, Trinity Rodman, his girlfriend and a well-known soccer star, made sure fans knew she was right there in his corner. If Shelton’s ambitions for New York are any hint, this story is far from over.
What Does Trinity Rodman’s Support Mean for Ben Shelton’s U.S. Open Hopes?
Friday night’s match saw Zverev take down Toronto champion Shelton, earning a commanding 6-2, 6-2 victory and grabbing a spot in the Cincinnati Open semifinals against Carlos Alcaraz. Zverev controlled Shelton’s second serve and outlasted him in baseline rallies, wrapping things up in just one hour and 17 minutes. Shelton’s impressive nine-match win streak ended as Zverev booked his fourth straight trip to the tournament’s semifinals.
Despite the abrupt end, Shelton didn’t stop dreaming about climbing the rankings. After the loss, he posted on Instagram to thank all the fans and looked ahead to a fresh start in New York City.
“Finally ran out of gas… great couple of weeks, but ready to get after it NYC,” he wrote, right after Zverev snapped his winning streak.
Fans rallied behind him for the upcoming US Open, but the boost from Trinity Rodman stood out. The celebrated soccer pro amped up Shelton’s confidence before his next test, dropping a comment packed with energy:
“Proud of ya🥹❤ us open timeeeee.”
Shelton’s run at the US Open ended early last season, dropping in the third round. After his Masters 1000 win in Toronto, he’s primed for a stronger showing with momentum and fan support on his side.
Why Did Ben Shelton Step Away from Social Media Before the US Open?
Shelton’s surge during North America’s swing this season got people wondering what sparked such a rise. When talking with Prakash Amritraj on Tennis Channel, Shelton explained how ditching social media, especially X, kept his mind clear and his focus tight.
“I’m doing a pretty good job. A huge one for me is deleting Twitter two years ago… The best decision of my life. I haven’t looked on anything on Twitter in the last two years. You can go down some rabbit holes on Twitter… So I don’t look at Twitter at all,” he said.
He’s kept things consistent at Grand Slams over the 2024-25 campaign, only getting stopped by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the top stages. Sinner took him out at the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and Alcaraz outlasted him after a wild match at Roland Garros.
Now at number six in the world, Shelton seems to have pinpointed what needs work and cleaned up those parts of his game. That grind paid off up north, giving him the Toronto Masters 1000 crown, plus a career-high ranking as he steps into the spotlight in New York.