Thea Frodin, who played Serena Williams’ point double in Will Smith’s ‘King Richard’, impresses on US Open debut despite defeat.

ByTech Word News

Thea Frodin of the United States greets Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan after Rybakina won her match during the first round of the US Open tennis championships Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Seventeen-year-old American Thea Frodin may have played the role of Serena Williams’ double in the movie, but at the US Open she showed that she has plenty of her own.Frodin, from California, made her Grand Slam and WTA Tour debut on Tuesday against world number two Elena Rybakin. She lost 6-3, 6-2, but impressed as she hit 11 aces — almost twice as many as Rybakina.“I feel like I’ve always been an aggressive player. That’s always been my game, just to be aggressive,” said the 6-foot-6 Frodin. “Obviously my height gives me a chance to serve bigger.

From ‘King Richard’ to the US Open

Frodin was the body double of Demi Singleton, who played a young Serena Williams in the 2021 film. king richard. She spent six months working on the film after her success in California junior tennis earned her the chance to audition.The film brought her extra attention as she made it to the US Open, but Frodin said she tried not to let it affect her.“I mean, 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. “I feel like I did well.

First taste of top tennis

Frodin earned a wild card into the US Open by winning the USTA Billie Jean King Girls Under-18 National Championship. She showed flashes of her attacking style against Rybakina, especially at the end of the match.Rybakina praised the teenager’s strong play and delivery.“I think she has great hitting and especially serving,” Rybakina said. “She has this strong game that I think is great and it’s just a matter of experience, being more consistent, playing matches. But she has the game. She can be quite dangerous with shots like that.”Frodin plans to continue playing junior tennis after high school, but hopes to return to the biggest stage.“I think it was a fun experience to see the best players in the world hit their balls and shoot,” Frodin said. “Hopefully next time I meet her, if I do, I’ll be more experienced and see what I can do.