From Playing Serena on Screen to Following in Her Footsteps

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:29:38 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

17‑year‑old Thea Frodin, once a Serena Williams body double, prepares for her US Open debut, facing world No.2 Elena Rybakina.

Thea Frodin is a 17‑year‑old American tennis talent who once served as a body double for a young Serena Williams in the film King Richard. After winning the USTA Girls' 18s National Championships, she earned a wildcard to the 2026 US Open main‑draw. She will face world No.2 Elena Rybakina in her debut match and hopes to meet the Williams sisters during the weekend. Frodin’s coaches had to help her shake off Serena's playing style she picked up during the film. The player looks forward to making the most of the atmosphere and learning for the future.

From Playing Serena on Screen to Following in Her Footsteps

Thea Frodin celebrates winning a point at the Australian Open — Thea Frodin reached the final of Wimbledon girls' doubles in 2025.

At just 17, Thea Frodin is stepping onto the biggest stage in tennis, the US Open, after a unique journey that began as a body double for a young Serena Williams in the Oscar‑nominated film “King Richard.”

Frodin has been training in the United States for the past five years, earning a wild‑card after winning the USTA Girls' 18s National Championships and achieving a semi‑final spot at the Australian Open girls' singles in 2025.

In the film, she worked alongside Will Smith as Richard Williams’ son, and she said: “Being able to play the role of someone I have admired all my life was super special. I was honoured. She was one of the players I looked up to most when I was starting to play.”

Her coaches noted that she naturally began to mimic Serena’s strokes post‑shoot, which prompted them to help her return to her own style.

In her first‑round match, she has been drawn against world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, a two‑time major winner and the reigning Australian Open champion, setting up an exciting battle of contrasting styles.

“I’m trying to stay in the moment as much as possible,” Frodin said. “This is a huge opportunity for me to enjoy the moment, have fun and see what I can do. The atmosphere, how loud the crowd will be… I feel like I fit well in that environment.”

With the Williams sisters scheduled to play doubles on the same weekend, Frodin hopes the opportunity to meet them could materialise, adding a dream‑catching dimension to her debut.