Beyond the 806
Thea Frodin, who was Serena Williams' body double in 'King Richard,' loses in her US Open debut - AP News
Thea Frodin, the 17-year-old California tennis player who served as Serena Williams' body double in "King Richard," lost her US Open debut Tuesday to No.
Frodin's loss wasn't without a highlight worth talking about. She fired 11 aces against Rybakina, one of the best servers in women's tennis, nearly doubling up her opponent in that department. For a teenager making her Grand Slam debut, that's a number that turns heads.
The "King Richard" connection adds a layer most first-round losers don't carry into Arthur Ashe Stadium. Frodin had to study and physically replicate the swing of Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, for the film. She said that role doesn't translate into pressure on the court for her.
For tennis fans in Lubbock who follow the sport through Texas Tech's program or just catch the Slams on TV, Frodin is the kind of story worth bookmarking. A 17-year-old with a Hollywood credit and 11 aces against a top-two player in the world isn't a fluke, even in defeat.
Rybakina needed two sets to close it out, but Frodin made her work for every game.
Common questions
Who is Thea Frodin and why is she getting attention at the US Open?
- Thea Frodin is a 17-year-old California tennis player who served as Serena Williams' body double in the film 'King Richard.' She made her Grand Slam debut at the US Open, losing to No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina 6-3, 6-2 while recording an impressive 11 aces.
How did Frodin perform against Elena Rybakina despite the loss?
- Frodin lost 6-3, 6-2 but fired 11 aces against Rybakina, one of the best servers in women's tennis, nearly doubling her opponent's ace count. For a teenager making her first Grand Slam appearance, that serving performance stood out as a genuine highlight.
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