Alexander Zverev defeated American Ben Shelton in the US Open final to earn his second slam of the season. Afterward, he reacted the same way everyone else did when Trinity Rodman was spotted at the final.
“Trinity, I thought you had a game today, no? Well done to you as well. You’re the lucky charm,” Zverev said after he defeated Rodman’s boyfriend, Ben Shelton, in four sets.
“Not today, but usually.”
Zverev to Ben Shelton’s girlfriend & soccer star Trinity Rodman after beating Ben in the U.S. Open final
“Trinity, I thought you had a game today, no? Well done to you as well. You’re the lucky charm. Not today, but usually”
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 13, 2026
Shelton would have been the first American man to win a Grand Slam title by since Andy Roddick won in Flushing Meadows in 2003. He also would have become the first Black player to win the men’s crown since Arthur Ashe in 1968.
Despite the gut-wrenching loss, Rodman made her way from her own matchup with the Washington Spirit against Boston at 1 p.m. in Washington D.C. to see Shelton compete.
The US Open final began at 2 p.m. in Queens.
It was previously reported that Rodman would not be attendance for Shelton’s debut in the final, but she was indeed there.
Her attendance evidently shocked Zverev, whose had the greatest year in tennis.
The 24-year-old soccer star has been in attendance for Shelton’s run on the hard court and Rodman didn’t miss its denouement. Sadly, she and her boyfriend will not be pleased with the outcome.
