Thea Frodin's US Open debut and her past as a body double in *King Richard* (2021).
Consensus Summary
Thea Frodin, a 17-year-old from California, made her US Open debut in 2026, losing in straight sets (6-3, 6-2) to Elena Rybakina, the 2023 US Open champion. Frodin gained attention for her role as a body double at age 12 in the 2021 film *King Richard*, where she played Serena Williams. Both sources confirm her aggressive playstyle, with ABC noting she saved three match points and hit four aces, while 7NEWS claims she hit 11 aces and was down 5-1 with three match points against Rybakina. Frodin earned her wildcard by winning the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships, and her debut match was marked by rain delays and fan support. ABC also covers other US Open matches, including Flavio Cobolli’s five-set victory and Madison Keys’ win over Alina Korneeva, while 7NEWS highlights Frodin’s background, including her six months on set for *King Richard* and her plans to return to junior tennis.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Thea Frodin was a body double at age 12 in the 2021 film *King Richard*, playing Serena Williams.
- Frodin lost her US Open debut match to Elena Rybakina in straight sets (6-3, 6-2).
- Frodin was 17 years old during her US Open debut.
- Frodin saved three match points in her US Open debut match.
- Frodin hit four aces during her US Open debut match.
- Frodin won the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships to earn a wildcard for the US Open.
- Elena Rybakina is the 2023 US Open champion.
- Frodin is from California.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Frodin was down 1-5 in the second set of her US Open debut match.
- Italian fifth seed Flavio Cobolli won a five-set match (3-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4) lasting 4 hours, 12 minutes.
- Cobolli is a French Open runner-up.
- Taylor Fritz, the 2024 runner-up, won 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 over 18-year-old Darwin Blanch.
- Madison Keys (22nd seed) beat 19-year-old Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4.
- Keys was the 2017 US Open runner-up.
- Coco Gauff is the 2023 US Open champion.
- 17th seed Alex Eala and men's first seed Alexander Zverev are scheduled to play later in round one.
- Rain delayed play on Monday night, affecting the schedule.
- Frodin fired 11 aces in her US Open debut match.
- Frodin is six-foot (183cm) tall.
- Frodin spent six months working on set for *King Richard* after winning 10-and-under sectional titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.
- Frodin said her height gives her the chance to serve bigger.
- Frodin plans to return to junior tennis after her US Open debut.
- Elena Rybakina is a two-time defending champion (implied at No.1 ranking).
- Frodin’s team chanted her name during the match.
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- ABC states Frodin hit four aces, while 7NEWS states she hit 11 aces in the same match.
- ABC mentions Frodin was down 1-5 in the second set, while 7NEWS states she was down 5-1 (match point down) in the same set.
Source Articles
Thea Frodin, Serena Williams's body double in movie, makes US Open debut
Making a US Open debut as a teenager is a daunting task, but American Thea Frodin is not a stranger to the bright lights.
Teenage Hollywood stunt double Thea Frodin becomes instant fan favourite in loss to world No.2 Elena Rybakina at US Open
The 17-year-old debutant was up against the world No.2 but still had the crowd cheering her name.
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