# Former Movie Body Double Thea Frodin Prepares for US Open Debut Match Against World Number Two Elena Rybakina > Seventeen-year-old American tennis player Thea Frodin, who served as a body double for young Serena Williams in the movie King Richard, is set to make her US Open main-draw debut against world number two Elena Rybakina. **Type:** article · **Category:** Tennis · **Published:** 2026-08-31 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/tennis/king-richard-men-serena-williams-ka-rola-nibhane-vali-thea-frodin-aba-us-open-ke-mukhya-dro-men-elena-rybakina-se-bhirengi-25163 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Thea Frodin, US Open, Serena Williams, Elena Rybakina, Tennis, King Richard 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. ## What this means for you This story highlights the bridge between junior success and top-tier professional tennis, offering fans and young athletes a compelling narrative at the US Open. - **For Tennis Fans:** The match offers an exciting opening-round matchup featuring an emerging young American talent against a proven Grand Slam champion. - **For Aspiring Athletes:** Frodin's journey demonstrates how winning national championships and building experience across junior Grand Slams opens doors to senior professional opportunities. - **For Event Coverage:** Highlights the unique storylines present at major tournaments where wildcards interact with the world's top-ranked players. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. Who is Thea Frodin? Thea Frodin is a 17-year-old American tennis player who served as a body double for a young Serena Williams in the movie King Richard. ### 2. Who is Thea Frodin facing in her US Open main-draw debut? Frodin is set to play world number two and two-time major winner Elena Rybakina in her opening main-draw match. ### 3. How did Thea Frodin qualify for the US Open main draw? She earned a wildcard spot in the women's singles draw by winning the USTA Girls' 18s National Championships. ### 4. What was her role in the film King Richard? At age 12, she worked as the tennis-playing body double for the actress portraying young Serena Williams in the Oscar-nominated film. ## Inspiration & Lessons Thea Frodin's journey highlights key mindset and training lessons for young athletes pursuing elite performance. - **Adaptability and Resetting Technique:** Successfully unlearning adopted stroke mechanics after film production showed high self-awareness and coaching discipline. - **Earning Opportunities:** Winning the USTA Girls' 18s title underscores that major wildcards are secured through hard work in competitive national events. - **Embracing the Big Moment:** Approaching a match against a world top-two player with excitement rather than fear demonstrates strong competitive mental fortitude. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._