Once young Serena Williams on screen, Thea Frodin braces for US Open debut

Thea Frodin, who played a young Serena Williams in King Richard, is set to make her Grand Slam debut at the US Open. The 17-year-old American faces world No. 2 Elena Rybakina in a challenging first-round clash.Thea Frodin (right) is set for her US Open debut. Courtesy: Reuters/Thea Frodin Instagram Thea Frodin is about to experience a remarkable full-circle moment. Five years after playing a young Serena Williams in the 2021 film King Richard, the 17-year-old American is preparing to make her Grand Slam main-draw debut at the US Open.Frodin will face a formidable first-round opponent in world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, who enters the tournament after recovering from an ankle injury suffered at the Cincinnati Open.Also Read: Aryna Sabalenka shrugs off poor form, begins US Open title defence in styleThe teenager's route to the US Open has been built on an impressive junior career and a breakthrough domestic triumph. Frodin earned her wild card after winning the USTA Billie Jean King Girls' 18s National Championships in San Diego earlier this month, defeating Janae Preston 6-1, 6-0 in the final. WHO IS THE TEENAGER WHO PLAYED SERENA?Born and raised in Southern California, Frodin first picked up a tennis racquet at six and now trains full-time in Nashville. She is currently ranked around No. 580 in the world and has already shown signs of a promising professional career.In 2021, Thea Frodin played a young Serena Williams in the movie 'King Richard'Now the teenager is making her Grand Slam debut at the US Open pic.twitter.com/NWqz7T4Yxm— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 31, 2026Her biggest junior result came earlier this year when she reached the girls' singles semi-finals at the Australian Open. She was also the runner-up in the girls' doubles at Wimbledon in 2025. But long before her Grand Slam breakthrough, Frodin had already found herself connected to one of tennis' greatest names.At just 12, she was selected as Serena Williams' tennis body and stunt double for King Richard, spending around six months working on the film. She had to replicate Serena's strokes and even found herself adopting elements of the American legend's technique.Frodin has described Serena as someone she has always admired, making the circumstances of her US Open debut even more striking. Serena herself is also in New York this year, competing alongside sister Venus in the women's doubles.Now, however, Frodin will have to step out of Serena's shadow and create a story of her own.Standing in her way is Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion and one of the biggest challenges possible for a player making her major debut. The 17-year-old knows the scale of the task but has welcomed the opportunity.“She’s No. 2 for a reason, so I’m expecting a battle. Hopefully, I can bring out my best level against her,” Frodin said.From portraying a young Serena on screen to walking onto the US Open stage herself, Frodin's next chapter could hardly have a more fitting setting.- EndsPublished By: sabyasachi chowdhuryPublished On: Sep 1, 2026 00:02 IST