Just In: Ben Shelton accused Frances Tiafoe of ‘lying’ in Trinity Rodman relationship row
Ben Shelton has firmly rejected Frances Tiafoe’s assertion that he played cupid in bringing the tennis ace and Trinity Rodman together. Shelton has been in scintillating form at the US Open and will face compatriot Tiafoe in the semi-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Throughout his tournament run, Rodman, the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) star, has been cheering on her boyfriend at every opportunity.
After initially maintaining privacy around their romance, the pair chose to make things official last year, capturing the imagination of sports and tennis enthusiasts everywhere. However, there have been contradictory accounts regarding how they first crossed paths, as Shelton gears up for one of the most significant matches of his career.
Following the couple’s decision to go public, speculation mounted over how the two sporting talents first met and subsequently became romantically involved.
Amidst the swirling rumours, Tiafoe suggested he was responsible for introducing them, ultimately leading to Shelton and Rodman’s relationship.
Nevertheless, Shelton firmly dismissed that idea, telling the New York Post: “Tiafoe had nothing to do with it. He’s taking credit, [saying] ‘Oh, yeah, I put them together. I was like Danny Ainge’.
“He’s a liar. He’s trying to make it about himself. It’s not about him, but that’s funny.”
Furthermore, Rodman has supported Shelton’s version of events regarding the start of their relationship.
“I don’t know if I want everyone to know the story [of how we met], but I can assure you Frances was not the reason we met or got together,” she said during an appearance on SportsCenter.
” I don’t know why he’s taking credit for that. Me and Ben can both cut that out. It was solely a me and Ben thing.”
Shelton revealed that Rodman was irritated by Tiafoe claiming responsibility for introducing them, despite apparently having no involvement whatsoever.
She was like, ‘Come on, bro,'” he added. “I think she said something to him a couple times. But we’re all friends.”
Regarding how the pair actually became romantically involved, Rodman disclosed to Kylie Kelce that she initiated contact with Shelton through a direct message, which sparked their relationship.
“Everything I do is just embarrassing. I’m really embarrassed,” she said.
“I said, ‘You’re sick, fire emoji,’ that’s it… It worked, he responded within 10 minutes, so I win.”
Following the couple’s decision to publicly confirm their romance, Shelton confessed he didn’t expect the level of public interest his private life would attract.
“I guess I didn’t think it would blow up as much as it did. That’s not why I did it,” Shelton continued.
I feel like, you know, posting your girlfriend on Instagram is a more normal thing. I guess because of who it is, is why people went nuts a little bit.
“But yeah, kinda crazy how much it did blow up… and I realised: ‘Wow, people care about my life that much.'”
