Trinity Rodman hits back at critics as she supports Ben Shelton at French Open

Trinity Rodman, the soccer star, clapped back at critics after being spotted supporting her boyfriend, tennis player Ben Shelton, at the French Open. Despite her current injury, Rodman made it clear she's committed to her recovery while also standing by Shelton during his fourth-round match against Carlos Alcaraz.

The 23-year-old USWNT and Washington Spirit forward, sidelined with a back injury, took to Instagram to respond to fans questioning her dedication to rehab. She posted a video of her rigorous physical therapy routine, captioning it with a pointed message for the skeptics: "Yes, I'm grinding almost every day in PT to get back on the field. NO, I'm not just being a wag and vacationing:) thank you," reaching out to her substantial following of 560,000.

Rodman's support didn't bring luck to Shelton, who fell in four sets to Alcaraz, the title defender at Roland Garros. As Shelton gears up for Wimbledon and other summer events, Rodman remains focused on her comeback trail.

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Since her rookie season with the Spirit in 2021, Rodman has been grappling with a back injury, enduring back spasms and associated problems. Post a triumphant run at the Paris Olympics last summer where the USWNT clinched gold, she exacerbated her back injury during a clash with the Kansas City Current.

The agony was intense enough to necessitate Rodman's removal from the field in a wheelchair. She bounced back for the NWSL's new season kickoff in March but after participating in the season's initial four matches, the Spirit declared on April 19 that Rodman would be side-lined indefinitely.

In a statement made to ESPN, the Spirit conveyed: "Trinity is taking time away from team activities to manage her back," adding, "We look forward to her returning when she's healthy."

Expectations are for Rodman's imminent return; however, the player alarmingly confessed that her back might perpetually be compromised. Given her enduring struggle with this severe recurrent injury throughout her pro tenure, Rodman harbors doubts about regaining full fitness.

In the wake of a 2-0 victory over Bay FC earlier this season, two weeks prior to the Spirit's decision to give Rodman an indefinite hiatus, she expressed to journalists: "Honestly, I don't think my back will ever be 100 percent. It's kind of an issue of it's not one specific thing.

"It's just the way that my back's structured. And it's more so management than like a curable fix. So I think we've managed it really well and I'm happy with the progression that we've had. But for me, I don't think my back will ever be the way it was my rookie year, which is unfortunate."

Not only is Washington feeling the absence of one of its star players, but Rodman's role is also pivotal for the USWNT. Coach Emma Hayes stands behind her player's recovery journey, asserting that stepping away from play to tackle her back issue is in everyone's best interest.

"I don't know when she will be back, but I know that Trin is being given all the support by everyone, and we very much hope for a speedy recovery," Hayes expressed to the media on May 18. "I think, with regards to the issue in her back, she wants to get to a place where it doesn't keep coming back. So, I think these are the right steps for her."