NEW YORK — While Thea Frodin is much more than what she is currently known for – being a body double in a movie about the Williams sisters – she probably would no doubt like to be known for her accomplishments away from the bright lights of Hollywood.
The 17-year-old from Woodland Hills, California, just made her Grand Slam singles main draw debut at the US Open, and while the result wasn’t what she was hoping for – a 6-3, 6-2 straight-set loss to No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina – the future is extremely bright.
Frodin was one of seven teenagers in the field, and when she failed to reach a Rybankina ace down the middle of the court, the match ended after an hour and 14 minutes. Frodin walked slowly to greet her opponent with her head held high.
The reward
for the upcoming high school senior is a $140,000 payday and more worldwide recognition than she had at age 12, when she was a stunt double for Demi Singleton, who portrayed a young Serena Williams in the 2021 film "King Richard," which won an Academy Award for actor Will Smith for playing the title character. She secured the role after winning a 10-and-under sectional tournament in California, getting the attention of the film's producers.
But Frodin is no stranger to the US Open, having won the USTA Girls' 18s national doubles title in 2025, earning her a US Open women's doubles wild card. She and her partner, Kristina Penickov, were beaten in the first round in a three-set thriller.
Frodin, currently ranked No. 585, also triumphed at the 2026 USTA Girls' 18s Singles National Championship, beating five seeded players in the process to punch her ticket for a chance to upset one of the top players in the world.
Frodin showed incredible poise at times and a devastating serve, powering 11 aces, some more than 120 miles per hour, past Rybakina, and saving several break points in the process. But like almost all tennis matches that end in defeat, she was undone by unforced errors, including three double faults, that could have made the 2026 Australian Open champion's time on the court a little more difficult.
The road to world No.1 starts now 🫡
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2026
Elena Rybakina defeats Frodin 6-3, 6-2. pic.twitter.com/YqgrPyBZOc
Rybakina, who can secure the No. 1 ranking with a run to the semifinals, came in with injury concerns of her own, bowing out in Cincinnati after a tendon issue in her left heel. At times against Frodin, she was tentative, not going after balls that, in a tighter match, she might attempt to reach. But she showed no signs of the injury, as physically the rallies she faced did not require her to move all around the court.
"I’m definitely motivated. I feel like I had opportunities before and it didn’t go my way," Rybakina said after being asked about possibly being No. 1. "Of course everyone plays really well. As I said, with this injury, I feel like for me each day is important. Of course it would be an amazing achievement but it’s still too far. I need to focus on my day off tomorrow, recovery, and just keep on going."
Rybanknia will move on to the second round to face the winner of Darja Vidmanova and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Wednesday, Sept. 2.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thea Frodin, teen who doubled for Serena Williams in 'King Richard' makes US Open debut
