ESPN’s Wimbledon 2025 coverage faced backlash from fans due to its treatment of Ben Shelton’s girlfriend, Trinity Rodman, a star player for the USWNT. The controversy erupted during Shelton’s fourth-round victory over Lorenzo Sonego, where Trinity was present in the player’s box alongside other family members.
After dropping the first set, Shelton rallied to defeat Sonego in four sets on Court No. 1, securing a spot in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon for the first time in his career. However, viewers watching the match on TV were perturbed by the commentators repeatedly referring to Trinity Rodman as “Tiffany” throughout the broadcast.
Fans took to social media to express their frustration, criticizing ESPN for disrespecting Trinity, a gold medalist with the USWNT at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Many were also upset by the commentators focusing on Trinity’s father, NBA legend Dennis Rodman, instead of acknowledging her own achievements in soccer. Trinity currently plays as a forward for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL, winning the Championship with the team in 2021 and the Challenge Cup in 2025.
The misidentification of Trinity Rodman extended beyond ESPN’s coverage, as a journalist at a post-match press conference mistakenly referred to her as ‘Tiffany,’ prompting Ben Shelton to correct the error. Despite the distractions, Shelton is poised to face World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals at Wimbledon, with Novak Djokovic also in contention in the same section of the draw.
The incident at Wimbledon shed light on the importance of recognizing athletes for their individual accomplishments, rather than overshadowing them with references to their famous relatives. Moving forward, it is crucial for media outlets to show respect and give due credit to athletes like Trinity Rodman for their hard work and achievements on the field.
