Seventeen-year-old American Thea Frodin may have played the role of Serena Williams’ body double in a movie, but at the U.S. Open, she showed that she has plenty of power of her own.Frodin, from California, made her Grand Slam and WTA Tour debut on Tuesday against world No. 2 Elena Rybakina. She lost 6-3, 6-2, but made an impression by hitting 11 aces — almost twice as many as Rybakina.“I feel I have always been an aggressive player. That’s always been kind of my game, just to be aggressive,” the 6-foot Frodin said. “Obviously my height gives me the chance to serve bigger.”
From ‘King Richard ’ to the U.S. Open
Frodin was the body double for Demi Singleton, who played a young Serena Williams in the 2021 movie King Richard. She spent six months working on the film set after earning the chance to audition through her success in California junior tennis.The movie brought her extra attention when she reached the U.S. Open, but Frodin said she tried not to let it affect her.“I mean, I think it’s hard to get away from all of that. It’s kind of just about accepting it and not letting it get to you,” Frodin said. “I feel like I did a good job of that.”
A first taste of top-level tennis
Frodin earned her U.S. Open wild card by winning the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships. Against Rybakina, she showed flashes of her attacking style, especially late in the match.Rybakina praised the teenager’s powerful game and serve.“I think that she has great shots, and especially serve,” Rybakina said. “She has this powerful game, which is I think great and it’s just a matter of experience, be more stable, playing matches. But she has the game. She can be quite dangerous with these kind of shots.”Frodin plans to continue playing junior tennis while finishing high school, but hopes to return to the biggest stage.“I think it was a fun experience to kind of see how the best players in the world, how they hit their balls and their shots,” Frodin said. “Hopefully the next time I meet her, if I do, I can be more experienced and see what I can do.”
