Once the young Serena Williams on the silver screen, Thea Frodin is preparing for her US Open debut

Thea Frodin is about to experience a remarkable full circle moment. Five years after playing a young Serena Williams in 2021’s King Richard, the 17-year-old American is preparing to make her grand slam main draw debut at the US Open.

Frodin will face formidable opponent World No.2 Elena Rybakin in the first round, who enters the tournament after recovering from an ankle injury she suffered at the Cincinnati Open.

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The teenager’s journey to the US Open was built on an impressive junior career and a breakthrough domestic triumph. Frodin earned a wild card after winning the USTA Billie Jean King Under-18 Girls National Championship in San Diego earlier this month, defeating Janae Preston 6-1, 6-0 in the final.

WHO IS THE TEENAGER WHO PLAYED SERENA?

Born and raised in Southern California, Frodin first picked up a tennis racket at age six and now trains full-time in Nashville. Currently ranked around 580th in the world, she has already shown signs of a promising professional career.

In 2021, Thea Frodin played young Serena Williams in King Richard.

Now the teenager is making her Grand Slam debut at the US Open pic.twitter.com/NWqz7T4Yxm— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 31, 2026

Her biggest junior result came earlier this year when she reached the semifinals of the girls’ singles at the Australian Open. She was also runner-up in the girls’ doubles at Wimbledon in 2025.

But long before her Grand Slam breakthrough, Frodinová had already linked up with one of the biggest names in tennis.

At just 12, she was cast as Serena Williams’ tennis and stunt double for King Richard, spending about six months on the film. She had to replicate Serena’s moves and even found herself adopting elements of the American legend’s technique.

Frodin described Serena as someone she had always admired, making the circumstances of her US Open debut all the more remarkable. Serena herself is also in New York this year, competing alongside sister Venus in the women’s doubles.

But now Frodin will have to step out of Serena’s shadow and create his own story.

Standing in her way is Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion and one of the biggest challenges for a player making her major debut. The 17-year-old knows the scale of the task but has welcomed the opportunity.

“She’s No. 2 for a reason, so I’m expecting a battle. Hopefully I’ll be at my best level against her,” Frodin said.

From portraying a young Serena on screen to walking the US Open stage herself, Frodin’s next chapter could hardly have had a more fitting setting.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

01 Sep 2026 0:02 IST