Tennis News

Reporter Shelton turns the tables on Trinity Rodman in funny interview

Ben Shelton is making headlines on and off the court, and this time, it’s for stepping into the role of reporter.

Just two weeks ago at the US Open, the 22-year-old American was caught off guard when his girlfriend, football star Trinity Rodman, put him on the spot during a press conference by teasing him about not hitting a serve above 135mph.

On Sunday, Shelton turned the tables. After Rodman scored both goals in Washington Spritis’ 2-0 victory over Seattle Reign in the National Women’s Soccer League, Shelton seized his chance to ask the questions.

“First off, I wanna say great game, Trin. I got a couple questions,” Shelton said to Rodman, who couldn’t contain her laughter. “Two great combo goals today, it was really cool to see the assist. Could you talk about your dynamic with Croix Bethune and how you guys play off each other. It’s really cool to see.”

Rodman answered thoughtfully, but Shelton slipped in a playful reminder of the US Open cameo: “No, I’m going to keep it positive,” he joked, alluding to the pointed serve-speed question she lobbed his way in New York.

Since going public with their relationship in March, Rodman has been a fixture at many of Shelton’s tournaments, including Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.

Now sidelined with a shoulder injury that forced him to retire from his third-round match in New York, the No. 6 player in the PIF ATP Rankings is returning the support by cheering on Rodman at NWSL games, and even picking up a microphone when the opportunity calls for it.

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How do tennis rankings work?

BBC Sport’s Ask Me Anything team looks at how rankings work in tennis and how it could impact Jack Draper’s ranking.

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Alcaraz takes clear lead in battle for year-end No. 1

Carlos Alcaraz is in great position to claim ATP Year-End No. 1 presented by PIF honours for the second time following his victory at the US Open.

Alcaraz did more at Flushing Meadows than lift the trophy and recapture World No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings. He also took a commanding lead in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin, the season-to-date standings, which serves as a measuring stick for the year-end No. 1 battle.

PIF ATP Live Race To Turin

Alcaraz now owns a 2,590-point advantage over his chief rival, second-placed Jannik Sinner, in the Live Race. No other player is within 6,000 points of the Spaniard.

The US Open final was a big opportunity for Sinner to close the gap on Alcaraz and set the stage for an intense year-end No. 1 clash in the final two months of the season. Had Sinner beaten Alcaraz on Sunday, there would have been a 1,400-point swing in his favour.

Instead, Alcaraz is in perfect position with two ATP Masters 1000 events (Shanghai and Paris) and the Nitto ATP Finals among the tournaments remaining in 2025. He last finished year-end No. 1 in 2022.

Only 10 players have finished as year-end No. 1 more than once, and Alcaraz can join Rafael Nadal (5) as the second Spaniard to accomplish the feat. Alcaraz and Sinner are the only singles players who have already qualified for this year’s Nitto ATP Finals.

Fifth-placed Ben Shelton and eighth-placed Lorenzo Musetti are trying to qualify for the season finale for the first time. Musetti is only 80 points ahead of ninth-placed Jack Draper, but the Briton announced Monday he will not compete for the rest of the season due to an arm injury.

The next player in the Live Race is 10th-placed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who is 365 points behind Musetti. The Canadian is fresh off his best result of the year, making the US Open semi-finals, and has historically performed well after the season’s final major. Auger-Aliassime competed in the Nitto ATP Finals in 2022.

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