As the Mediterranean sun bathed the courts of the 2025 Mallorca Championships, American tennis star Ben Shelton traded his racquet for a soccer ball, captivating fans and his girlfriend, soccer sensation Trinity Rodman, with an unexpected display of footwork. The 22-year-old world No. 10, seeded first at this ATP 250 grass-court event, took a break from his Wimbledon preparations to showcase his athletic versatility, juggling a soccer ball shirtless in a video that quickly went viral. With Rodman, a star forward for the Washington Spirit and the U.S. women’s national soccer team, cheering him on, Shelton’s playful “keepie uppies” added a lighthearted moment to the intense pre-Wimbledon buildup, proving he’s a “baller” in more ways than one.
The video, shared widely on social media, captured Shelton’s impressive ball control, a nod to Rodman’s expertise as a 2024 Olympic gold medalist and NWSL standout. “He’s a baller! ⚽️🔝 It looks like Ben has picked up a few skills from Trinity!” read the caption accompanying the clip, which showed Rodman watching with a mix of amusement and admiration. The couple, who confirmed their relationship in March 2025 with a now-iconic Instagram post featuring Rodman kissing Shelton in an elevator, has become one of America’s most celebrated cross-sport duos. Their chemistry, both on and off the court, has fans buzzing, with many noting how Rodman’s presence seems to bring out a joyful, carefree side of the typically focused tennis star.
Shelton, who received a first-round bye as the top seed in Mallorca, is set to face compatriot Learner Tien in the second round on June 25. The tournament marks a critical step in his grass-court campaign after a disappointing early exit at the Queen’s Club Championships, where he fell to Arthur Rinderknech in the round of 32. Despite that setback, Shelton’s 2025 season has been a breakthrough, with a semifinal run at the Australian Open, a final at the BMW Open in Munich, and a career-high ranking of No. 10 achieved after a strong performance in Stuttgart. Rodman, sidelined by a back injury, has been a constant presence, attending his matches across the European swing, from Madrid to Paris, and now Mallorca. “I’m in awe of you 🤩❤️,” she posted on Instagram after his French Open win over Lorenzo Sonego, a testament to her unwavering support.
Their relationship, which began with flirty TikTok exchanges in early March, has captivated fans across tennis and soccer. The couple’s “hard launch” on Instagram, captioned by Shelton with “I been focused, but I’m steady climbin’, I’m nowhere near my peak,” drew excited reactions from peers like Coco Gauff, who commented, “hard hard launchhhhh,” and Frances Tiafoe, who added, “We gram now.” Rodman, daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, cheekily responded, “Shooters shoot I guess 🤭👀.” Their playful dynamic extends beyond social media, with Shelton revealing in a Tennis Channel interview that Rodman was surprised by the solitary nature of tennis culture compared to team sports. “She’s been like, ‘Why do none of the girls talk to each other?’” he shared, noting her adjustment to the sport’s competitive rivalries.
Off the court, Shelton’s soccer skills are more than just a stunt. He and Rodman have playfully tested each other’s abilities, with Shelton admitting, “I think we both were surprised how good the other one was at the sport.” This mutual respect has strengthened their bond, evident in moments like Rodman’s players’ box debut at the BMW Open, where she sat alongside Shelton’s father and coach, Bryan Shelton. Despite her injury, Rodman’s presence in Mallorca underscores her commitment to supporting Shelton as he chases his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, where he’s yet to advance past the fourth round.
The Mallorca Championships, presented by the Ecotrans Group, offer Shelton a chance to fine-tune his aggressive, serve-heavy game on grass, a surface where his powerful lefty forehand and dynamic athleticism shine. His recent top-10 breakthrough, celebrated by Rodman with an Instagram story captioned “BIG BENNY 🤣🥰,” has raised expectations for a deep Wimbledon run. As he prepares to face Tien, fans are as eager to see his on-court performance as they are to catch more glimpses of his off-court chemistry with Rodman. Whether juggling a soccer ball or battling for a title, Shelton’s star power—bolstered by Rodman’s support—continues to light up the tennis world.
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