Ben Shelton Shares Emotional Story Of Cancer-Stricken Trinity Rodman Fan & His Canadian Open Shout-Out To Her

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Jul 28, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Ben Shelton (USA) celebrates after match point against Martin Damm (USA) (not pictured) on day two of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. © Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Ben Shelton’s recent encounter with a young fan at girlfriend Trinity Rodman’s soccer game has left the American tennis player with a renewed perspective on life. The fan Shelton met was a young cancer patient whose infectious spirit and positivity left a lasting impression, inspiring him to sport a bracelet that now serves as a constant reminder of strength despite hardships.

Shelton is currently in Montreal, and after beating fellow American Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 7-5, he sat down for a conversation with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj, where he was seen wearing a bracelet that read “Tough Like Taylor.” Amritraj was quick to ask Shelton the story behind the inscription, which originated during a soccer game that Shelton attended to support his girlfriend, USWNT star Trinity Rodman.

At Audi Field, Shelton happened to meet a young Rodman fan, Taylor McLeod, a nine-year-old girl from Virginia who is battling B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia. According to Shelton, Taylor ran up to him super excited, and despite undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy, she struck him as one of the most joyful people he had ever met.

“I met a girl at my girlfriend’s soccer game last week who’s a super big fan of her, Trinity. I don’t know exactly if she knows who I am, but she came up to me super excited to meet me, and I was super excited to meet her. She’s a young girl, and she has cancer, and one of the happiest, most joyful people that I’ve met.”

“And then to turn around and have to do multiple rounds of chemo, you know, a couple days later. I’m rooting for her. I’m a super big fan of her.”

Shelton continued:

“She definitely changed my perspective in just the small amount of time that I got to spend with her. So, you know, I got my Tough Like Taylor bracelet on, and I won’t be taking it off.”

Last week, the Washington Spirit hosted their annual Cancer Awareness Day soccer match against San Diego Wave FC at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. The event’s purpose is to honor cancer survivors from the local area.

Taylor was among those honored. As honorary captain, she spent time with the team and took photos with Rodman.

Ben Shelton’s Promising Start to Canadian Open Championship Defense​

After an unfortunate first-round exit from Wimbledon and a quarterfinal loss in Washington, Ben Shelton is now looking to rediscover his form and turn the page at the Canadian Open. The American has made a promising start in Montreal by defeating compatriot Jenson Brooksby.

The No. 5 seed took the first set after winning 79 percent of his first‑serve points and 67 percent of his second, but was pushed harder by Brooksby in the second.

Despite a stronger challenge by Brooksby on his serve, Shelton ultimately prevailed by converting three break points and using his superior baseline game to seal a straight-sets win.

Shelton is next scheduled to face Belgium’s Zizou Bergs on Friday.

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