Ben Shelton beats Carlos Alcaraz to reach US Open semifinals

NEW YORK — Ben Shelton secured a place in the US Open semifinals at 3:33 a.m. ET on Wednesday, concluding the latest finish in the history of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The 23-year-old American defeated seven-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7) in a four-hour-and-28-minute match that Alcaraz’s opponent described as a war. While the victory established Shelton as a primary contender to end the American men's Grand Slam drought lasting since 2003, it also highlighted a recurring professional friction for his partner, Trinity Rodman. A Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist and star for the Washington Spirit and USWNT, Rodman spent the match in Shelton's box, only to pivot from the celebration to a five-hour drive back to Virginia to arrive at her team's training facility by 9:30 a.m. ET.

The 'War' at Arthur Ashe Stadium

The quarterfinal match was characterized by extreme swings in momentum. Shelton surrendered the first set before winning the next two, but Alcaraz — who had previously missed four months of play due to a wrist injury, forced a deciding fifth set. The match concluded with an all-time tiebreak, snapping Alcaraz’s streak of 18 consecutive match wins and his 12-match winning streak in five-setters. According to ESPN, Alcaraz had been 13-0 against Americans and 14-0 against left-handed players before this defeat. In the immediate aftermath, Shelton and Rodman performed a shared "hang up the phone" celebration, a gesture Shelton first used in 2023 against Frances Tiafoe. During the on-court interview, Shelton remarked, I’m just hoping my best friend and sister over there don’t have to be at work at 6 a.m. in three hours… to which Rodman, visible in the broadcast, responded, What about me?

Professional Identity vs. Public Relation

Despite the romantic narrative of Rodman as a lucky charm, a term Shelton used after winning the Boss Open in Stuttgart in June 2026, a pattern of "identity reduction" in sports media has emerged. NBC broadcaster Kylen Mills criticized SportsCenter anchor Nicole Briscoe for introducing Rodman as Ben Shelton's girlfriend rather than a soccer star, noting that Rodman is a generational soccer talent who has been consistently recognized through her relationships. This erasure has manifested in several ways across different tournaments:

• BMW Open (Munich, 2025): Early coverage identified her primarily as Shelton's girlfriend.
• Wimbledon: BBC commentator Andrew Castle repeatedly called her Tiffany instead of Trinity and focused on her father, Dennis Rodman. Rodman responded publicly on social media: For those who don't know, my name is TRINITY, not Tiffany.
• US Open: ESPN introduced her as Ben Shelton's girlfriend, with a graphic reading Ben's girlfriend & USWNT player.

Rodman has displayed a nuanced response to these labels. While she has criticized the mentions of her father, from whom she is largely estranged, she has leaned into her relationship with Shelton. Following the ESPN introduction that sparked criticism, she attended Shelton's second-round match against Hubert Hurkacz wearing a shirt that read I ❤️ MY BOYFRIEND.

The Scale of Rodman's Achievements

The tendency of broadcasters to prioritize Rodman's romantic or biological ties contrasts with her standing in professional soccer. At 24, she is one of the highest-paid female footballers globally, following a contract signed at the start of 2026.

Metric/Achievement	Detail
Contract Value	$6 million total (over $2 million per season including bonuses)
Olympic Status	Gold Medalist (Paris 2024)
NWSL Draft	Youngest-ever draft pick (age 18, 2021)
Career Stats	34 goals and 26 assists in NWSL career
NWSL Milestones	Youngest to start 100 games; youngest to reach 10 goals and 10 assists

Her professional trajectory includes being named NWSL Rookie of the Year and U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year in 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who will Ben Shelton play next?

Shelton is scheduled to face American Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals on Friday, September 11.

Related video and Instagram post

What is the "Rodman Rule"?

The "Rodman Rule" is a nickname associated with the historic $6 million contract Trinity Rodman signed at the start of 2026.

What was the significance of the match finish time?

Ending at 3:33 a.m. ET, the match is the latest finish ever recorded for a match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The immediate future presents a logistical conflict for the couple. While Shelton seeks to reach the final, Rodman must maintain her commitments to the Washington Spirit. On Sunday, September 13, the Spirit are scheduled to play the Boston Legacy at 1 p.m. ET in Washington, exactly one hour before the US Open final begins at 2 p.m. ET in New York.

Historical Weight and Betting Odds

The victory marks the most significant win of Shelton's career, according to Aol. Beyond the immediate result, the semifinal matchup against Frances Tiafoe ensures that a Black American man will compete in the Grand Slam final for the first time since Arthur Ashe did so in 1972. Both players have yet to reach a Grand Slam final; the winner will attempt to end a title drought for American men at the US Open dating back to Andy Roddick in 2003.

Despite the momentum, Shelton is not the favorite to secure the trophy. Draft Kings listed Roland Garros champion Alexander Zverev as the slight favorite at +110, while Shelton is positioned at +140.

Chronology of a Marathon Night

The logistical strain of the match was documented through Rodman's social media and official team reports. While the match concluded at 3:33 a.m. ET, Rodman shared a post on Instagram at 3:51 a.m. Showing the final score. She later posted a TikTok video featuring an elevator selfie timestamped at 4:14 a.m. Before arriving at the Washington Spirit training facility in suburban Virginia.

The couple's relationship, which became public in March 2025, began when Rodman messaged Shelton on Instagram to describe his game as sick, according to Grazia. This personal connection was visible during the Alcaraz match, where Rodman placed an action figure of Shelton performing his signature celebration on the balcony railing as a good luck charm, as reported by the New York Post.

For Shelton, the next step is the semifinal match against Frances Tiafoe on Friday, September 11.