Thea Frodin goes from Serena point double to promising US Open debut against Rybakina

Five years ago, Thea Frodin pretended to be Serena Williams on a movie set. On Tuesday, the 17-year-old American took to the US Open court for her own Grand Slam debut. loses 6-3, 6-2 to world number two Elena Rybakina but shows plenty of power along the way.

Frodin spent six months working as a tennis stunt double for Demi Singleton, who played the young Serena in the 2021 film King Richard. Now she’s trying to make a name for herself in tennis after earning a US Open wild card by winning the USTA Billie Jean King National Girls Under-18 Championship.

At the age of 12, Thea Frodin portrayed a young Serena Williams on screen in the 2021 film ‘King Richard’.

Today, she will face Elena Rybakina at the US Open. pic.twitter.com/kKozQVqzFo— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2026

The California teenager may have bumped into one of the biggest names in women’s tennis, but she wasn’t surprised. Frodin fired 11 aces, nearly double Rybakin’s, and the crowd in the stands chanted her name as she fought to stay in the match.

“She played really well today and has great shots,” Rybakina said. “He’s got this strong game that I think is great and it’s just a matter of experience, being more consistent, playing matches. But he’s got game.”

FROM SERENA TO HERSELF

Frodin’s association with Serena began through her success in junior tennis. After winning sectional titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles at the 10-and-under level in California, she earned an audition for King Richard and was chosen to replicate Serena’s strokes and moves on set.

The experience was so absorbing that Frodin found himself transferring Serena’s technique to his own tennis. She spent months working with her parents and coaches to ditch the backhand she learned on set and rediscover her natural stroke.

Her tennis career has continued to move forward ever since. Frodin reached the junior semi-finals of the Australian Open before winning the national under-18 championship to earn her place in New York.

“I feel like I’ve always been an aggressive player. That’s always been my game, just to be aggressive,” Frodin said. “Obviously my height gives me a chance to serve bigger.

A DEBUT THAT MANY LIKES

Frodin’s serve became especially dangerous when she was under pressure. Down 5-1 in the second set, she saved three match points with three aces before finally holding serve and giving the crowd in the stands another reason to get behind her.

Rybakina eventually ended the match with an ace on her fourth chance, but the teenager had already done enough to leave her mark against the Grand Slam champion.

“I think it’s hard to get away from it all. It’s kind of about accepting it and not letting it get to you,” Frodin said of the attention surrounding her connection to King Richard. “I feel like I did well.

Meanwhile, Rybakina advances to the second round and the world number one is also in sight. She will overtake Aryna Sabalenkova by reaching the semi-finals or if the defending champion does not win the title.

– The end

Issued by:

Debodinna Chakraborty

Published on:

02 Sep 2026 08:15 IST