The BBC have issued an apology to Wimbledon star Ben Shelton's girlfriend Trinity Rodman after making comments about her estranged NBA legend father
17:38, 09 Jul 2025
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Ben Shelton of United States celebrates winning a point against Jannik Sinner of Italy during the Gentlemen's Singles quarter-final match on day ten of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 09, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus via Getty Images)
The BBC apologised to Ben Shelton's girlfriend, Trinity Rodman(Image: Visionhaus, via Getty Images)
The BBC have been forced to apologise after commentator Andrew Castle made an on-air blunder, mistakenly referring to Trinity Rodman as Tiffany Rodman and made comments about her estranged NBA legend father, Dennis Rodman.
Trinity was in the stands watching her boyfriend Ben Shelton secure a victory against Lorenzo Sonego at Wimbledon as the topic of conversation awkwardly changed to the USWNT star and her remarking on her father's celebrated NBA heritage
Shelton secured his win over Sonego in a gruelling four sets, bouncing back after a first-set defeat. Post-match, he made sure to acknowledge his support with a heartfelt tribute on the court, naming his girlfriend Trinity and his father Bryan, who doubles as his coach.
Throughout the game, viewers were given glimpses of Shelton's family and other supporters, thanks to repeated camera cuts in their direction. At one such moment, Castle noted: "That was interesting.
"Tiffany Rodman is part of the US football set-up, she's in the national team, scored a goal in the World Cup final. Her father is Dennis Rodman who is one of the greatest sportsmen of all time in my opinion.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Trinity Rodman, professional football player and girlfriend of Ben Shelton of United States, applauds following the Gentlemen's Singles fourth round match between Ben Shelton of United States and Lorenzo Sonego of Italy on day eight of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 07, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Trinity Rodman has been supporting her boyfriend at Wimbledon(Image: Visionhaus, Visionhaus/Getty Images)
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"The greatest rebounder in NBA history and the biggest wind-up merchant of all time. Nobody wound people up more than Rodman. When he was with Detroit in the NBA with Bill Laimbeer and Isaiah Thomas, he used to ruin Michael Jordan's life.
"Then they were team-mates at the Chicago Bulls and they were legends together. There's nobody she doesn't know in the hierarchy of US sports. A big star herself."
Trinity was not happy after being called Tiffany and the constant references to her estranged father during the broadcast, stressing that at 64, he plays no role in her life.
Taking to Instagram, Trinity clarified her name "for those who don't know," adding: "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."
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Former NBA Basketball player Dennis Rodman speaks onstage during the 2022 Revolt Summit at 787 Windsor on September 24, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
Dennis Rodman is an NBA legend(Image: Paras Griffin, Getty Images)
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In response, the BBC issued an apology through a statement saying: "Andrew apologises for mispronouncing Trinity Rodman's name during the Ben Shelton vs. Lorenzo Sonego match."
On previous occasion, Trinity delved into the topic of her absent father, Dennis, while speaking to Call Me Daddy podcast, saying: "I think in terms of the dad situation, in terms of what I've filtered and what I've talked about - I feel like me and my brother have been very generous with the way that we've talked about it and very unselfish.
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"Imagine living in a car going to a rich school; it was the most weird thing. We were living in car, but then we could afford to stay in a motel for a little bit, so we were kind of back and forth. He's not a dad. Maybe by blood but nothing else."