In a surprising twist of fate, American tennis player Frances Tiafoe has taken it upon himself to play matchmaker for two rising stars in the sports world, Ben Shelton and Trinity Rodman. Much to the astonishment of fans, Tiafoe claims responsibility for bringing the couple together. Shelton's recent reveal of their relationship officially unfolded on social media earlier this week, initiating a flood of excitement across the sports community.
Ben Shelton’s hard launch on Instagram featured an adorable mirror selfie of him and Rodman in an elevator, where the U.S. soccer star was caught giving him a sweet kiss on the cheek. The picture undeniably struck a chord, especially since Shelton is known for being relatively private about his personal life. However, whispers regarding the couple's connection had been swirling for weeks before the official announcement. Earlier this month, both athletes had been teasing their romance through playful TikTok videos that showed them lip-syncing lyrics and replacing the names with each other’s.
In a candid interview with Overtime Tennis, Tiafoe shared his surprise at Shelton's public reveal. He jokingly remarked, “By the way, I don’t think people realize, I was like, the one who — if we’re going to be real.” His playful modesty sparked laughter among those who followed both his and Shelton's journey. The tennis community quickly rallied around Shelton and Rodman, expressing their congratulations and cheeky surprises in the comments.
Meanwhile, Trinity Rodman, who is the daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman and a talented player herself, further added to the conversation. Shortly after the hard launch, she took to TikTok to share her reaction after unexpectedly discovering Shelton's post. “Me seeing the Ben Shelton hard launch… Then realizing I’m the girl,” she captioned her video, indicating that she had not been privy to the launch beforehand. Her candid and light-hearted response only added to the excitement surrounding their relationship.
The timeline of events reveals that while Shelton and Rodman initially went Instagram official in May 2024, Rodman had quietly confirmed her breakup with her previous boyfriend, Trinity Benson, just months before, around January 2025. The relatively recent split may have paved the way for her burgeoning romance with Shelton, who has also been linked to fellow athlete Coco Gauff.
In addition to the love connection, Tiafoe has been making headlines for other reasons as well. He has taken the time to laud other American tennis players making strides in the tournament realm. Recently, he celebrated Hailey Baptiste's impressive win at the Miami Open, where Baptiste advanced to the third round after beating Daria Kasatkina. Tiafoe shared his cheers on social media, expressing his pride in her accomplishments: “Lil sis hit the big naaasssstyyy😂😂 Big dub proud of you @hailrybaptiste.”
Baptiste's victory makes her a contender for a significant match against Naomi Osaka scheduled for March 23. Following her performance against Kasatkina, she has gained recognition and support within the tennis community, propelling her towards success as a rising star in the sport.
While Tiafoe is busy cheering on his fellow players, he is also preparing for his own upcoming matches. Currently, he is set to compete in the Miami Open against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on March 22. After earlier exits in different tournaments this season, he is hoping to build momentum in this prestigious event. Last seen at the Indian Wells, where Tiafoe couldn't advance beyond the second round, the stakes are high for him at the Miami Open.
Reflecting on his ambitions, Tiafoe has expressed his desire to win a major title, noting the significant achievements of American women in tennis and lamenting that no American man has claimed a major championship since Andy Roddick's US Open victory back in 2003. During an interview with The Palm Beach Post, he mentioned, “I’ve been thinking about it for a while – every time the U.S. Open comes around, I’m thinking this is my year. That’s where I play my best tennis.”
Frances Tiafoe continues to inspire both fans and fellow athletes alike with his encouragement, ambitions, and supportive nature. From playing matchmaker and cheering for peers to pursuing his own victories on the court, he reflects the camaraderie and passion that characterize American tennis. It remains to be seen how both his relationship with his peers and his performance on the courts will unfold in the upcoming competitions.
