Ben Shelton makes US tennis history in reaching Munich Open final as girlfriend Trinity Rodman cheers him on

Ben Shelton has lots of reasons to be happy right now in his life as he reached the final of the 2025 Munich Open in seeing off Francisco Cerundolo. He becomes the first American man to reach a clay court final at all since Andre Agassi in 2002.

The same year in fact that Shelton was born. But not only that but he has more reason to win with girlfriend and professional soccer player Trinity Rodman cheering him on.

Rodman wasn't meant to be there it seems with the couple who recently got together both being in action this weekend. But the former has a back issue which forced her out of the Washington Spirit match.

She had a reason to head to Europe though with the doctor she is seeing based in London so en route to doing so, she found ample time to support her boyfriend in action.

Presumably she will be there on Sunday too as he faces Alexander Zverev. Shelton is already back up to World No.13 this next week with his run this week and two years on from originally treading the boards of European clay, he is mastering it.

“It’s a big win for me,” said Shelton. “To get a win on clay against a guy like that gives me a lot of confidence, and to be in an [ATP] 500 final over here in Europe, I’m really happy. I’ve been playing well here, I love the energy here in Munich and I’m going to go for that title tomorrow.”

Especially against a player like Cerundolo who at times this season has led the tour in match wins. But in getting into a relationship with Rodman, he has a girlfriend who being a professional sportsperson herself knows the rigours of what it takes to win.

As well as having the same competitive spirit which on the outset can only bring the best out of Shelton as has been proven this week and no doubt spurred him on against Cerundolo. A happy coincidence and a superb week for Shelton continues.