How Soccer Star Trinity Rodman Slid Into Tennis Pro Ben Shelton’s DMs — And Why She Loves Being Called a "WAG"

TL;DR: Olympic soccer player Trinity Rodman made the first move on tennis star Ben Shelton with a simple DM. He flew to meet her, helped her break down boxes, and the rest is history. She’s proud to be a "WAG" while crushing her own athletic career.

The "Need to Know" Highlights

• Trinity made the first move — She DM’d Ben Shelton on Instagram with just three words and a fire emoji
• He responded in 10 minutes — And matched her playful energy perfectly
• Their first date was a weekend at her house — He flew out before they’d even met in person
• She pretended to be busy — "Breaking down boxes" while waiting for him to arrive
• He passed the test — He immediately helped her with the boxes, and she knew: "keeper"
• She embraces the "WAG" label — Even as a star athlete herself, she loves supporting her guy

The Story: How It All Started

The DM That Started It All

Picture this: Trinity Rodman, 24, Olympic gold medalist and forward for the Washington Spirit, sees Ben Shelton, 23, rising tennis star. She thinks, "He’s cool." So she does what any of us would do — she shoots her shot.

"You’re sick, fire emoji."

That’s it. That’s the whole message. And guess what? He replied within 10 minutes.

His response? "Yeah, you were sick at the Olympics, too, ha ha."

Trinity told Kylie Kelce on the Not Gonna Lie podcast: "He matched the cringe situation, and then I think a week or two later we met in person."

The First Meeting: A Leap of Faith

Here’s where it gets wild. Ben flew to Trinity’s house for their first in-person hangout. They hadn’t even met yet. He stayed for the whole weekend.

Trinity admitted she was nervous — so she pretended to be "breaking down boxes" when he arrived. Scissors in hand, she opened the door, gave him a "little hug," and went right back to her fake chore.

The green flag moment: He immediately started helping her break down boxes.

"And that’s when I knew, keeper."

What Is a "WAG" — And Why Trinity Loves the Title

WAG = Wives And Girlfriends (of professional athletes)

It’s a term that’s sometimes used dismissively. But Trinity? She owns it.

"It’s the best feeling in the world, honestly. I think to know we’re both on the grind, running our bodies to the ground, always exhausted, doing what we love, and then to also be able to be a little like a WAG in a sense, it feels so good for us."

Translation: She’s a world-class athlete and she loves showing up for her boyfriend. Both things can be true.

The "Hard Launch" & Life Now

• March 2025: They went public on Instagram (the "hard launch")
• August 13, 2025: Ben won back-to-back Canadian Open titles

• Trinity’s reaction: Couldn’t be there in person (soccer schedule), but flooded Instagram with support:

  "Drive, dedication and commitment. Back to back Canada champ! Celebrate every win babyI love you"

Important Points to Remember

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Making the first move works — Trinity’s simple DM led to a real relationship
• Authenticity wins — She was embarrassed by her "cringe" message, but he loved it
• Green flags matter — Helping with boxes without being asked? Major green flag
• You can be a star AND a supporter — Being a "WAG" doesn’t erase your own achievements
• Long-distance athlete life is real — They balance two pro sports schedules and still cheer each other on

Step-by-Step: How Trinity Shot Her Shot (And You Can Too)

1. See someone you like → Don’t overthink it
2. Send a low-pressure message → "You’re sick " works better than a paragraph
3. Wait for the vibe check → If they match your energy, great. If not, move on
4. Meet in person (safely!) → Trinity took a leap — but trust your gut
5. Watch for green flags → Do they help without being asked? Keeper.
6. Be proud of your dynamic → Two ambitious people supporting each other? Goals.

Summary

Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton’s love story started with a three-word DM and a fire emoji. She made the first move, he replied fast, flew to her house, helped her break down boxes, and the rest is history. Now they’re a power couple balancing two elite athletic careers — and Trinity proudly wears the "WAG" title while winning Olympic medals. Moral of the story: Shoot your shot. Be yourself. Look for the person who grabs a box cutter and helps.

FAQ

Who is Trinity Rodman?

A: She’s a 24-year-old professional soccer player for the Washington Spirit (NWSL) and the U.S. Women’s National Team. She won Olympic gold and is considered one of the brightest young stars in women’s soccer. (Fun fact: Her dad is NBA legend Dennis Rodman.)

Who is Ben Shelton?

A: He’s a 23-year-old American professional tennis player known for his powerful serve and electric personality. He’s won multiple ATP titles, including back-to-back Canadian Open championships.

What does "hard launch" mean?

A: It’s internet slang for making a relationship officially public on social media — usually with a clear photo or post together — after keeping it private or subtle ("soft launching").

Is "WAG" a bad term?

A: It can be used dismissively to reduce women to just "someone’s girlfriend." But many women, like Trinity, are reclaiming it to mean: "I’m a partner who shows up, AND I have my own career." Context matters.

How do they make it work with two pro sports schedules?

A: Lots of travel, FaceTime, and showing up when it counts. Trinity missed Ben’s Canadian Open final due to her own games — but she celebrated him loudly online. They prioritize each other’s wins, even from afar.

Originally reported by People. Listen to the full podcast episode on Kylie Kelce’s "Not Gonna Lie" for more details.