Wimbledon semi-finalist Ben Shelton’s football star girlfriend has won an apology after BBC commentator Andrew Castle repeatedly got her name wrong on-air.
Trinity Rodman hit out online after the tennis pundit wrongly referred to her as ‘Tiffany’ as well as mentioning her estranged father, NBA legend Dennis Rodman.
Now the BBC has said sorry on behalf of Castle, who twice competed at Wimbledon during his playing days in the 1980s, for ‘mispronouncing’ her name during this fortnight’s coverage from the All-England Club in south-west London.
Rodman and Shelton have been hailed as a new sporting ‘power couple’ during his run to the quarter-finals of the men’s singles, ahead of a showdown with world number one Jannik Sinner on Court One scheduled for later on Wednesday.
US star Shelton, seeded number ten, is going out with Trinity, who has won 47 caps for the USA women’s soccer team while also playing for Washington Spirit.
The 23-year-old star used her Instagram account to criticise former GMTV presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Castle, 61, over his latest Wimbledon coverage in which she was called ‘Tiffany’ and mentioned as Dennis Rodman’s daughter.
Trinity has previously stated how strained her relationship is with her father, an NBA Hall of Famer who became known for living an outlandish, womanising lifestyle.
Dennis divorced from Trinity’s mother Michelle Moyer in 2012 and went long periods without speaking to his daughter.
USA footballer Trinity Rodman has won a BBC apology over its Wimbledon coverage
She has been cheering on her boyfriend Ben Shelton, number 10 seed in the men’s singles
Trinity Rodman posted on Instagram following mentions on-air by BBC pundit Andrew Castle
Trinity said last year that she does not even have his number saved on her phone, but she fields his occasional calls.
She told the podcast named Call Her Daddy: ‘I answer the phone now for my conscience, to be like, he needed to hear my voice before anything else happens.
‘That’s why I answer the phone, not for me. He’s not a dad. Maybe by blood, but nothing else.’
Yet the family connection has come up various times during the BBC’s broadcasts as she cheers on her boyfriend Shelton during his successful run so far.
She has posted on Instagram in response: ‘For those who don’t know, my name is TRINITY not Tiffany.
‘Also, for Ben’s matches he has his family there as a support system, which includes his dad.
‘My dad is 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.’
Her message has received online support from fans – and now the BBC has responded to the backlash.
Wimbledon commentator and former British No 1 Castle has been criticised for his comments
Trinity Rodman (pictured left, with her ex-basketball father Dennis Rodman, right) has spoken about the pair having a distant relationship
Trinity Rodman and Ben Shelton went public with their high-profile sports relationship in March
Shelton reached a quarter-final clash with top seed Jannik Sinner at this year’s Wimbledon
He had been heard to say during coverage of Shelton’s previous play, when cameras focused on Trinity: ‘Her father is Dennis Rodman, who’s one of the greatest sportsmen of all time in my opinion.
‘The greatest rebounder in NBA history and the biggest wind-up merchant of all time.’
Internet critics have accused him of committing a ‘micro-aggression’ and showing a ‘lack of care’ for Trinity.
A BBC spokesman has now said on Castle’s behalf: ‘Andrew apologises for mispronouncing Trinity Rodman’s name during the Ben Shelton vs. Lorenzo Sonego match.’
Shelton defeated world number 252 Sonego in four sets on Monday to reach today’s quarter-final against Sonego’s Italian compatriot and three-time Grand Slam champion Sinner.
Trinity Rodman has not been the only one capturing attention while cheering on Shelton – his sister Emma has also appeared among his biggest fans.
And he made a move to return the favour by issuing a televised plea to banking giant Morgan Stanley in the hopes of extending her holiday break from working for the firm.
During a post-match interview following his win against Marton Fucsovics last Saturday, Ben revealed how Emma, who he described as his ‘lucky charm’ was scheduled to fly back to the US for work.
Emma Shelton, 24, who works at Morgan Stanley, has become a viral sensation at Wimbledon, after supporting her younger brother courtside throughout the tournament
Emma Shelton (right) has been seen alongside brother Ben’s girlfriend Trinity Rodman (left)
Ben explained: ‘My sister’s here. She’s been here for every match I’ve played in this tournament so far.
‘She’s been the lucky charm. But she has work back in the US starting on Monday. She works for Morgan Stanley.’
Loud booing erupted in the crowd as the camera captured Emma, who was seen laughing with her hands over her mouth.
‘Ay ay ay! Come on now,’ Ben continued, before he jokingly tried to get her out of her work commitment.
‘If any of y’all have some connects and can get her a couple extra days off, we’re gonna keep this rolling, and that would be great,’ said the tennis star.
Ben has since posted a video to his Instagram Stories that showed Emma jumping up and down as he asked her: ‘You got the week off or what? Shoutout Morgan Stanley.’
On Monday, Emma was spotted back in the stands, cheering Ben on during his fourth-round match against Sonego.
One of the announcers declared how she was ‘still around here because Ben’s urging probably helped her company, her employer let her stay a little longer and skip a little more work’.
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