Thea Frodin, who once stepped into the shoes of a young Serena Williams for the film 'King Richard', is gearing up to make her US Open debut. The 17-year-old American faces a tough challenge ahead as she takes on world number two Elena Rybakina in her first main-draw singles match at her home Grand Slam.
Frodin's path to this moment is a remarkable one. Five years ago, she was chosen to portray a young Serena Williams in the Oscar-nominated film, sharing the screen with Will Smith, who played Richard Williams, the father of Serena and Venus. Frodin expressed her admiration for Serena, noting how special the experience was for her.
Her time on the film set left a lasting impression on her tennis game. Frodin spent six months immersed in Serena's world, adopting her style so much that her coaches had to work to bring her back to her own technique. "After I was done shooting, I got used to her strokes, " she said. "My coaches were a bit frustrated because I naturally started to hit like her."
Despite these hurdles, Frodin has swiftly climbed the ranks in her tennis career. Holding a world ranking of 580, she secured a wildcard entry into the US Open by clinching the United States Tennis Association's Girls' 18s National Championships. Earlier this year, she made it to the semi-finals of the Australian Open girls' singles, marking her best junior performance at a major tournament.
Facing Rybakina is a key moment for Frodin. "To be standing here right now and actually getting a chance to play in the main draw, it means everything, " she said. She knows the challenge is steep, acknowledging, "[Rybakina] is number two for a reason, so I'm expecting a battle. Hopefully, I can bring out my best level against her."
Besides her singles match, Frodin is thrilled about the chance to meet her idols, Serena and Venus Williams, who are competing in the doubles event. "Hopefully, if I get a chance to hit with them or just meet them, anything, I'll take it, " she expressed. "That would be incredible. That would be a dream."
Frodin's journey reflects her commitment and love for tennis. From her beginnings on a movie set to her current standing on the court, her story is one of resilience and determination. As she readies herself for the most important match of her life, the tennis world will be watching to see if she can channel Serena Williams' spirit and make her own mark at the US Open.
