ATP Tour

Shelton rates Rodman's 'banger' goal above his 100th win

Ben Shelton may have accomplished a personal goal in his ATP Tour career by notching his 100th win Sunday at the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers, but the American is giving his girlfriend's goal in the NWSL the day's top billing.

Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman returned to the pitch for the first time in nearly four months and powered home a late, winning goal against Portland Thorns FC after coming on as a substitute. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist was overcome with emotion in the celebrations, having struggled with a recurring back injury over the past year.

On Sunday evening, Shelton made a late move of his own to secure a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(1) victory against Flavio Cobolli and reach the 100-wins milestone. After the match, he was asked which of the couple's moments stood out more.

"I think Trinity Rodman scoring a goal," he said without hesitation. "One-year anniversary from her incredible goal at the Olympics, hadn't played in 100-something days and she goes in and in 15 minutes scores a banger. It's pretty cool, especially [because] she was emotional. I'm always happy for her."

Rodman's goal came in an afternoon match at the Spirit's home field in Washington, D.C. Just last week, when Shelton reached the semi-finals at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in the U.S. capital, he remarked that Rodman was a bigger star than him in the city. Her star shined brightly on Sunday.

"Holy cow, that was just the hardest thing I've had to go through with injury and everything," Rodman said, as quoted on ESPN.com. "So, being back with the team, especially at home, with the stadium and the crowd behind me, scoring a goal like that — you saw I buried it. I was not going to miss it. I'm just really happy to be back. I missed the team. I missed doing what I love."

While the Spirit's next match is not until next Saturday, Shelton will return to action Tuesday in Toronto. Bidding to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final, Shelton will meet Alex de Minaur in a battle between Top 10 players in the PIF ATP Rankings.