09/01/26 03:32:00
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09/01 15:31 CDT Thea Frodin, who was Serena Williams' body double in 'King
Richard,' loses in her US Open debut
Thea Frodin, who was Serena Williams' body double in 'King Richard,' loses in
her US Open debut
By BRIAN MAHONEY
AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) --- Thea Frodin once had to hit like Serena Williams in a movie.
On Tuesday at the U.S. 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.
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.
Frodin played her way into the U.S. Open by winning the USTA Billie Jean King
Girls' 18s National Championships to earn a wild card.
With fans in the Grandstand chanting her name, Frodin fired consecutive aces
after facing match point trailing 5-1, then hit another to erase a third match
point Rybakina had earned and eventually held serve. Rybakina finally finished
the match on her fourth try by hitting her sixth ace.
Rybakina is guaranteed to take the No. 1 ranking from Aryna Sabalenka if she
reaches the semifinals, or if the two-time defending champion doesn't win the
tournament.
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