NEW YORK -- Thea Frodin once had to hit like Serena Williams in a movie. On Tuesday at the US Open, she showed some pretty good power of her own in real life.
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.
"She played really well today and she has great shots," Rybakina said.
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," played her first WTA match Tuesday against No. 2 Elena Rybakina at the US Open. Amber Searls/Imagn Images In the 2021 film "King Richard," Frodin was the body double for actor Demi Singleton, who played the younger Williams sister. Frodin earned the opportunity to audition after winning singles, doubles and mixed doubles sectional titles at the 10-and-under level in California and then spent six months working on set.
Will Smith won an Oscar for his performance as Richard Williams, father to Serena and her sister, Venus.