Seventeen-year-old Thea Frodin made her US Open main draw debut on Tuesday, facing a challenging first-round opponent in second-seeded Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina. The Los Angeles high school student, who has a unique background as a body double in the Hollywood film “King Richard,” was defeated 6-3, 6-2 in a match that lasted one hour and 14 minutes. Rybakina, a Wimbledon winner as well, maintained a strong service game throughout the match, not losing her serve at any point.
Frodin’s entry into the US Open came after she secured a wildcard by winning the US national 18-and-under championship. Despite the early exit, the teenager expressed a positive outlook on her performance, emphasizing the experience gained rather than the scoreline. “I tried going out there to see what it would be like just to, I guess, feel no pressure ... just go out there and have a fun time,” Frodin said after the match. She acknowledged areas for improvement but remained optimistic about her future development.
Rybakina praised Frodin’s level of play, remarking that she “played really well today.” The match provided Frodin with a glimpse into the level of competition at the highest tier of professional tennis, an important step in her burgeoning career.
Frodin’s connection to tennis extends beyond the court. At age 12, she served as the stunt and body double for actress Demi Singleton, who portrayed a young Serena Williams in “King Richard,” a film chronicling the rise of the Williams sisters. While Frodin has not yet met Serena Williams, she hopes to do so in the future.
Regarding her career plans, Frodin remains undecided on whether to pursue collegiate tennis or turn professional, focusing instead on completing her high school education. “I'm not rushing into kind of making a decision with all that,” she said. Looking ahead, she is eager for another opportunity to compete against Rybakina, hoping to bring more experience to such encounters.
“Hopefully the next time I meet her, if I do, I can be more experienced and, yeah, see what I can do,” Frodin added, signaling her determination to continue progressing in the sport.