The 2025 Madrid Open has delivered more than just thrilling tennis—it’s served up a dose of off-court charm that has fans buzzing. Amid the clay-court battles at the Caja Magica, American tennis star Ben Shelton orchestrated a delightful moment, introducing his close friend and fellow player Coco Gauff to his girlfriend, USWNT soccer sensation Trinity Rodman, in a heartwarming scene that radiated camaraderie. The encounter, captured on video and shared widely on social media, showcased the genuine bond among these young athletes, blending sports stardom with authentic friendship. “It was such a cool moment to see them connect,” one fan posted on X, reflecting the infectious joy of the trio’s interaction.
Shelton, the world No. 14, and Rodman, a gold-medal-winning forward for the Washington Spirit, have been a celebrated sports power couple since going Instagram official in March 2025. Their relationship, sparked by flirty TikTok exchanges and confirmed with a cozy elevator selfie, has drawn cheers from the tennis and soccer worlds alike. At Madrid, Rodman was a fixture in Shelton’s player box, her presence marked by a subtle yet meaningful gesture—a necklace with a “B” pendant, a nod to her boyfriend. During Shelton’s third-round match against Jakub Mensik on April 27, which ended in a 6-1, 6-4 defeat, Rodman’s support was unwavering, even as Shelton struggled to find his rhythm against the Miami Open champion. “You gotta make sacrifices sometimes,” Shelton had said of their relationship, highlighting the mutual dedication required to balance their demanding careers.
The introduction to Gauff, the world No. 4 and a Madrid quarterfinalist, occurred in the players’ lounge, a rare moment of levity during a tournament disrupted by a national power outage. Gauff, who has long shared a playful friendship with Shelton, was all smiles as she met Rodman, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman. The trio’s chemistry was palpable, with Gauff’s infectious laugh and Shelton’s easygoing charm setting the tone. “Hard launchhhhh!!” Gauff had commented on Shelton’s Instagram post announcing his relationship, a nod to their tight-knit bond forged through shared experiences on the ATP and WTA tours. Their history, including a viral doubles moment at the 2024 US Open where Shelton left Gauff hanging on a high-five, has endeared them to fans, who once speculated about a romance between the two. Shelton quashed those rumors at the Australian Open, clarifying that their escape-room outing included Chris Eubanks, cropped out of photos. “I feel like for the past 6 months, whenever I would get seen with somebody, people would think we were dating,” he told reporters, explaining his decision to go public with
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