Alexander Zverev wins hearts with touching message for Ben Shelton’s girlfriend
Alexander Zverev may have walked away with the US Open trophy, but it was his words to Ben Shelton’s girlfriend Trinity Rodman that won hearts after the German beat the American in the final on Sunday. Rodman was in tears during Shelton’s speech after losing the finale.
Zverev beat Shelton 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium to claim his first US Open title and second Grand Slam crown. But amid the celebrations, the 29-year-old made sure to acknowledge Rodman, who traveled from Washington DC to New York to support Shelton.
“Trinity, I thought you had a match today, didn’t you? You’re doing well too. You’re a good luck charm. Not today, but usually,” Zverev said during his on-court speech.
Zverev to Ben Shelton’s girlfriend and soccer star Trinity Rodman after defeating Ben in the US Open final
“Trinity, I thought you had a game today didn’t you? You’re doing well too. You’re a good luck charm. Not today, but usually.”
pic.twitter.com/OVenNJQCyg— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 13, 2026
Rodman, the Washington Spirit’s star forward, was scheduled to play against Boston Legacy FC in Washington on Sunday, with the NWSL match overlapping Shelton’s US Open final. Despite the scheduling conflict, she headed to New York after the match to be there for Shelton.
SHELTON’S BREAKTHROUGH FINAL ENDS FIGHTING FINAL
Shelton’s run to the finals was one of the biggest stories of the tournament. The 23-year-old became the first black American to reach the US Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972 and put together a string of impressive performances en route to the championship match.
Trinity Rodman in tears during Ben Shelton’s speech after losing the US Open final.
She had a match today in Washington DC and immediately rushed to New York to support him.
Win or lose, by each other’s side. pic.twitter.com/yXhOxQ2s7W— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) September 13, 2026
He stunned second seed Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, which ended at 3.33am, before defeating Frances Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 in the semi-finals. Against Tiafoe, Shelton hit 20 aces and 47 match points, showing the strong serve and aggressive tennis that has carried him through the tournament.
In the final, Shelton initially struggled to match Zverev’s consistency, but refused to go quietly. After dropping the opening two sets, he produced his best tennis of the night to take the third 7-5 and put the pressure on the German briefly.
However, Zverev regained control in the fourth set and sealed the championship 6-2. The victory gave him his second Grand Slam title of the year after his triumph at the French Open.
For Shelton, the defeat ended his quest to become the first American since Andy Roddick in 2003 to win a Grand Slam singles title. However, his breakthrough week in New York offered a glimpse of a player capable of challenging for tennis’s biggest prizes.
And after a heartbreaking night for Shelton, Zverev’s lighthearted words to Rodman provided a touching moment between two athletes who have shared the spotlight throughout the tournament.
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
14 Sep 2026 05:41 IST