Thea Frodin faces Elena Rybakina in first US Open singles match
8 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 1, 2026, 11:56 PM
Last updated Sep 1, 2026

Thea Frodin enters her first US Open singles match on Tuesday. The professional tennis player, previously known for serving as a body double for the actress portraying Serena Williams in the 2021 film King Richard, will compete in the tournament. Frodin is scheduled to face No. 2 Elena Rybakina in this opening round encounter. The match represents a milestone for Frodin in the ATP calendar. The matchup takes place as part of the current US Open competition schedule.
- •Thea Frodin plays her first US Open singles match on Tuesday.
- •Frodin previously worked as a body double for the Serena Williams role in King Richard.
- •Elena Rybakina enters the match as the No. 2 seed.
- 11:56 PMYahoo Sports — US Open: Thea Frodin, Serena Williams body double from 'King Richard,' falls to No. 2 Elena Rybakina in Grand Slam debut
- 10:03 PMESPN Tennis — Frodin, once Serena body double, falls at US Open
- 9:26 PMYahoo Sports — Thea Frodin, teen who doubled for Serena Williams in 'King Richard' makes US Open debut
- 8:45 PMYahoo Sports — Serena Williams’ body double in ‘King Richard’ loses in her US Open debut
- 8:31 PMYahoo Sports — Thea Frodin, who was Serena Williams' body double in 'King Richard,' loses in her US Open debut
- 3:40 PMYahoo Sports — Former Serena Williams body double Thea Frodin makes US Open debut
- 1:36 PMYahoo Sports — Meet Serena Williams' body double from 'King Richard' making U.S. Open debut
- 2:43 AMESPN Tennis — Frodin, body double in 'King Richard,' playing Open
"Thea Frodin, who once had to hit like Serena Williams in a movie, brought her own formidable serve to the court on Tuesday at the U.S. Open. Making her WTA Tour and Grand Slam debut, the 17-year-old California native fell 6-3, 6-2 to second seed Elena Rybakina. Frodin delivered 11 aces during the match, almost doubling the total of her opponent, who is recognized as one of the finest servers in women's tennis.
"Thea Frodin once had to hit like Serena Williams in a movie. The 17-year-old from California lost to No. 2 Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-2 while playing her first WTA Tour match in a Grand Slam tournament. Frodin fired 11 aces, nearly doubling up one of the best servers in women's tennis.
"Thea Frodin, a 17-year-old from California who was the body double for the actor who played a young Serena Williams in the 2021 film "King Richard," lost to No. 2 Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-2 while playing her first WTA Tour match in a Grand Slam tournament.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 11:56 PMUS Open: Thea Frodin, Serena Williams body double from 'King Richard,' falls to No. 2 Elena Rybakina in Grand Slam debut
Elena Rybakina began her quest for the No. 1 ranking against an interesting opponent.
- ESPN TennisSep 1, 2026, 10:03 PMFrodin, once Serena body double, falls at US Open
Thea Frodin, a 17-year-old from California who was the body double for the actor who played a young Serena Williams in the 2021 film "King Richard," lost to No. 2 Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-2 while playing her first WTA Tour match in a Grand Slam tournament.
- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 9:26 PMThea Frodin, teen who doubled for Serena Williams in 'King Richard' makes US Open debut
Thea Frodin once doubled for young Serena Williams in 'King Richard.' The teen made her US Open main-draw debut against Elena Rybakina on Tuesday.
- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 8:45 PMSerena Williams’ body double in ‘King Richard’ loses in her US Open debut
Thea Frodin, who once had to hit like Serena Williams in a movie, brought her own formidable serve to the court on Tuesday at the U.S. Open. Making her WTA Tour and Grand Slam debut, the 17-year-old California native fell 6-3, 6-2 to second seed Elena Rybakina. Frodin delivered 11 aces during the match, almost doubling the total of her opponent, who is recognized as one of the finest servers in women's tennis.
- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 8:31 PMThea Frodin, who was Serena Williams' body double in 'King Richard,' loses in her US Open debut
Thea Frodin once had to hit like Serena Williams in a movie. The 17-year-old from California lost to No. 2 Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-2 while playing her first WTA Tour match in a Grand Slam tournament. Frodin fired 11 aces, nearly doubling up one of the best servers in women's tennis.
- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 3:40 PMFormer Serena Williams body double Thea Frodin makes US Open debut
The 17-year-old earned a wildcard into the tournament years after helping portray a young Serena in “King Richard.” Five years
- Yahoo SportsSep 1, 2026, 1:36 PMMeet Serena Williams' body double from 'King Richard' making U.S. Open debut
"King Richard" body double Thea Frodin is making her big debut on Tuesday morning at the 2026 U.S. Open.
- ESPN TennisSep 1, 2026, 2:43 AMFrodin, body double in 'King Richard,' playing Open
Thea Frodin, who was the body double for the actor who played Serena Williams in the 2021 film "King Richard," will play her first US Open singles match Tuesday against No. 2 Elena Rybakina.
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