Thea Frodin Plays Herself at U.S. Open, Making Grand Slam Debut Thea Frodin, the 17-year-old California native who portrayed young Serena Williams in the 2021 film King Richard, made her Grand Slam debut at the U.S. Open on Tuesday, losing in the first round to No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina. The match, which ended 6-3, 6-2, marked Frodin’s first appearance at Flushing Meadows and her first step into the world’s most prestigious tennis tournament. Despite the early exit, Frodin expressed satisfaction with her experience, highlighting the support from the home crowd and the opportunity to compete on a global stage. Frodin’s journey to the U.S. Open began with her role in King Richard, a biographical film about the coaching of Serena and Venus Williams. The 12-year-old actress spent six months on set with stars like Will Smith, who played Richard Williams, and other cast members. She described the experience as “super fun,” filled with memorable moments and camaraderie with the actors. However, her time on the film set also influenced her tennis style, as she adopted Serena’s techniques during filming. Her coaches initially expressed concern about this shift, but Frodin eventually reverted to her natural playing style. The daughter of a tennis enthusiast, Frodin was introduced to the sport at age 4. By 2019, she had already demonstrated her talent by winning singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles at the USTA SoCal Junior Sectional Championships. This success earned her an invitation to audition for the role of Serena’s body double in King Richard. Her performance in the film, which premiered in 2021, brought her into the spotlight, blending her passion for acting with her athletic pursuits. Frodin’s U.S. Open debut came after securing a wild card entry following her victory at the USTA girls’ 18s national championships.#elena_rybakina #us_open #usta #thea_frodin #king_richard
Thea Frodin Was Serena Williams’ Body Double in ‘King Richard’ Now Playing in the US Open Thea Frodin, a 17-year-old tennis player from Los Angeles, is making her debut in the U.S. Open singles tournament, facing Elena Rybakina, the world’s No. 2 player. The match marks a significant milestone for Frodin, who previously served as the body double for Serena Williams in the 2021 film King Richard. Her transition from acting to professional tennis has been both a personal and professional journey, blending her passion for sports with her early exposure to Hollywood. Frodin’s path to the U.S. Open began with her success in junior tennis. She won the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships, earning a wild card into the main draw. Her rise in the sport was bolstered by her early achievements in California, where she dominated at the 10-and-under level, claiming singles, doubles, and mixed doubles sectional titles. These accomplishments caught the attention of filmmakers, leading to her casting as the on-court double for Demi Singleton, who portrayed the younger Serena Williams in the biographical film. The role in King Richard provided Frodin with a unique opportunity to work alongside renowned actors, including Will Smith, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Richard Williams, Serena and Venus’s father. Frodin described the experience as “super cool,” emphasizing the privilege of being part of a project that celebrated the legacy of tennis legends. However, the experience also posed challenges. She found it difficult to separate her on-screen persona from her real-life tennis identity, as she had become accustomed to replicating Serena Williams’ iconic swing.#will_smith #us_open #serena_williams #thea_frodin #usta_billie_jean_king_girls_18s
