Cinema VinesNEW YORK—At 17, Thea Frodin will step onto the U.S. Open court for the first time in a singles match, facing the world No. 2, Elena Rybakina. The former body‑double for Serena Williams in the 2021 biopic “King Richard” is now playing the game she once mimicked on screen. Frodin earned her spot with a wild card after winning the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships, a feat that also led to her casting in the film.
During the movie, Frodin doubled for Demi Singleton, who portrayed the younger Serena. She spent six months on set, working alongside actors such as Will Smith, who portrayed Venus and Serena’s father. “It was super cool to be on set and to play the role of someone I admire,” she told a phone interview on Monday. “Playing Serena’s swings was easy because I’ve watched her career for years, but after the film I couldn’t switch back to my own style.”
Frodin’s tennis journey began in California, where she won singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles at the 10‑and‑under level. Her success on the court opened doors to both the U.S. Open and the Hollywood set. She has not yet met Serena or Venus Williams, but she hopes to balance a potential acting career with her primary focus on tennis.
Last year, Frodin competed in the U.S. Open doubles, and this season she attempted to qualify for the WTA Tour in Miami, falling in the qualifying round. With a year left of high school, she remains uncertain about her plans after graduation, though she expresses a keen interest in pursuing opportunities in both arenas.
