Tennis star Ben Shelton and U.S. women’s national soccer team gold medalist Trinity Rodman are the latest sports power couple, but Wimbledon announcers attempting to celebrate their relationship this week have had several own-goals.
Rodman was courtside in London for Shelton’s fourth-round match against Lorenzo Sonego, watching alongside Shelton’s family as the young American star won in four sets. Calling the match for the world feed, BBC’s Andrew Castle repeatedly called Rodman by the name “Tiffany” rather than “Trinity” while referencing her estranged father and Basketball Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman.
It was enough for Rodman to take to Instagram after the match and correct Castle.
“For those who don’t know, my name is TRINITY not Tiffany,” Rodman wrote with a laughing emoji.
“Also, for Ben’s matches he has his family there as his support system, which includes his dad… my dad’s not even in MY life no need to bring him up during HIS matches when I don’t even want him talked about during mine. It’s him and his loved ones’ moment. Thank you”
While the name mistake clearly came from Castle, the comments about her father came from both broadcasts. After Rodman drew attention to it, one clip from ESPN went viral on Monday and Tuesday on X.
Fans were not pleased when announcer Mike Monaco described Rodman as Dennis’ daughter without mentioning her own athletic accolades as a USWNT star.
Previously, Trinity Rodman has explained that her father’s estrangement led to not only emotional strife but money troubles for her mother when she was young. Though Dennis Rodman made headlines for appearing at Rodman’s NWSL match in 2021, the two remain distanced.
It is, therefore, understandable that Trinity Rodman would not want to be described as Dennis’ daughter. And that she would not want her difficult relationship with such a famous celebrity athlete to overshadow Shelton’s career.
Shelton faces world No. 1 Janik Sinner on Wednesday, giving Wimbledon announcers a chance to honor her requests — and learn her name.
About Brendon Kleen
Brendon is a Media Commentary staff writer at Awful Announcing. He has also covered basketball and sports business at Front Office Sports, SB Nation, Uproxx and more.