Thea Frodin to Face No. 2 Elena Rybakina in US Open Singles Debut

Thea Frodin, the 17-year-old body double for Serena Williams in 'King Richard,' makes her US Open singles debut Tuesday against Elena Rybakina.

Thea Frodin will make her US Open singles debut on Tuesday against world No. 2 Elena Rybakina. The 17-year-old Los Angeles native secured her spot in the main draw by winning the USTA Billie Jean King Girls' 18s National Championships, which earned her a tournament wild card. This match marks Frodin’s first appearance at the WTA Tour level following a loss in the qualifying round at Miami earlier this year.

While this is her first singles match at Flushing Meadows, Frodin previously competed in the U.S. Open doubles draw last year. The upcoming clash with Rybakina represents a significant jump in competition for the high school senior, who has one year of secondary education remaining. Frodin enters the professional stage with a unique background in cinema, having spent six months on the set of the 2021 film "King Richard."

From Sectional Titles to Hollywood Sets

Frodin’s path to the screen began during her time competing in the 10-and-under division in California. During that period, she swept the sectional titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. Those victories led to an invitation to audition as the on-court body double for Demi Singleton, the actor who portrayed a young Serena Williams. Frodin worked alongside Will Smith, who earned an Academy Award for his portrayal of Richard Williams.

During the six-month production, Frodin focused on replicating the specific swings of the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion. She noted that mimicking the legendary athlete was relatively easy due to years of watching Williams’ career, but the process eventually altered her own mechanics. Frodin’s parents expressed concern when she struggled to revert to her natural technique after the film concluded, as she had instinctively adopted Serena’s strokes as her own.

Balancing Professional Tennis and Acting

Despite her role in the film, Frodin has never met Serena or Venus Williams in person. She described the opportunity to play the double for an inspirational figure as a special experience, yet she maintains that tennis remains her primary focus. However, the teenager expressed interest in pursuing further acting opportunities if they arise, suggesting she would like to balance a career in Hollywood as a "side gig" alongside her professional tennis aspirations.

Frodin spoke via telephone on Monday, stating that she has worked hard to reach this level and views the Tuesday match as a special opportunity. She noted that she enjoyed the environment of the acting life and would be open to returning to it if possible. For now, her immediate task is navigating the opening round of the final Grand Slam of the year against one of the highest-ranked players in the world.

Tournament Background and Qualifications

The USTA Billie Jean King Girls' 18s National Championships served as the definitive qualifying event that propelled Frodin into this position. Her victory there provided the necessary wild card to bypass the standard qualifying rounds required for lower-ranked players. As she prepares for the Tuesday session, Frodin brings the experience of playing on camera, though this time she will be performing as herself rather than a body double.

Her previous attempt to break into the WTA main draw ended in the Miami qualifying rounds, making the Tuesday match against Rybakina her official tour-level debut. Frodin has not yet determined her plans for the period following her high school graduation next year. The match against the No. 2 seed will be broadcast as part of the Tuesday schedule at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.