Five years after serving as a tennis body double for a young Serena Williams in the Oscar-nominated movie King Richard, 17-year-old American Thea Frodin is preparing to make her main-draw singles debut at her home Grand Slam, the US Open. The teenager has transitioned from mimicking her childhood idol on a film set to standing on one of the biggest stages in professional tennis, where she has been drawn against world number two and reigning Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina.
From Hollywood Set to Grand Slam Main Draw
When Frodin was just 12 years old, she spent six months working several days a week alongside Oscar-winning actor Will Smith, who portrayed Richard Williams, the father of tennis icons Serena and Venus. Frodin was brought in to execute the tennis shots for the young actress depicting Serena on camera. She recalls working in cold, rainy conditions on outdoor courts where Smith regularly brought her hot water to keep her warm.
Emulating a 23-time major singles champion for months had a lasting effect on Frodin's play. By the time filming concluded, her coaches faced the unexpected task of unwinding the technique she had adopted on set. Frodin had so thoroughly absorbed Serena's stroke patterns, particularly her signature backhand, that her coaching team had to work intensively to help her return to her natural playing style.
Earning the Wildcard and Junior Milestones
Currently ranked 580th in the world, Frodin earned her place in the US Open women's singles draw by winning the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Girls' 18s National Championships, capturing a wildcard entry into the tournament. Her qualification coincides with a tournament where Venus Williams also received a wildcard and will compete alongside Serena in the doubles event.
Frodin's breakthrough at the senior level comes on the heels of impressive junior results. Earlier this season, she reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open girls' singles competition, marking her best singles performance at a junior Grand Slam. She also competed in the Wimbledon girls' doubles final in 2025 alongside fellow American Julieta Pareja. On the pro circuit, Frodin made her WTA Tour qualifying debut as a wildcard in Miami, taking former world number 35 Viktorija Golubic to three sets in her first match against a top-100 player.
Facing World Number Two Elena Rybakina
On Tuesday, Frodin will walk out for her main-draw debut against Elena Rybakina, a two-time major champion currently ranked second in the world. Despite the daunting match-up, the American teenager expressed excitement about taking the court and playing in front of a loud home crowd.
"To be standing here right now and actually getting a chance to play in the main draw, it means everything," Frodin said ahead of the match. While recognizing that Rybakina is number two for a reason, Frodin aims to bring her best level to the contest, while also hoping to cross paths with the Williams sisters during her fortnight in New York.
