THEA FRODIN will not be overawed by her US Open main-draw debut on Tuesday – she has already had the full Hollywood experience.
The 17-year-old tennis ace – handed a wildcard by tournament organisers – faces Kazakhstan’s No2 seed Elena Rybakina, the former Wimbledon champion, in round one.
Thea Frodin starred alongside Will Smith in King Richard Credit: Facebook
Frodin, 17, played in the juniors event at Wimbledon earlier this summer Credit: Getty
The match is scheduled for 11am local time on the Grandstand arena with millions watching on TV.
Yet she is no stranger to fame, having appeared in an award-winning film as Serena Williams’ body double.
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The Southern California native – who still lives in Woodland Hills but trains full-time in Nashville – has pedigree, having won the singles title at this month’s USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 18s National Championships.
But five years ago, when she was 12 years old, she was cast in the Oscar-winning film ‘King Richard’.
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The drama tells the story of Compton-based Richard Williams and his daughters, Venus and Serena, who went on to transform and dominate the women’s tennis landscape.
Frodin was chosen for the dream role after sweeping the singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles at a 10-and-under sectional tournament in California.
This impressed the film’s producers and they asked her to audition due to her budding tennis skills.
She was on set a few days a week for six months and her job was to replicate young Serena’s strokes on the court.
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Frodin may bump into Serena Williams around Flushing Meadows Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
The teenager spent a lot of time with superstar Will Smith, who went on to win the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of disciplinarian Richard, now 84.
Quoted on the WTA website, Frodin said: “I just remember it being a blast.
“Being able to play tennis and be on camera, two great combos.
“I truly had such an amazing time. I got to be alongside some really cool actors, and it was super fun.”
Frodin did not meet the Williams sisters during the filming but as she makes a name for herself on the pro ranks, she might bump into them.
Perhaps even this week at Flushing Meadows where the siblings are involved in women’s doubles.
The world No585 said: “Being able to play the role of somebody that I looked up to for my whole life was super special.
“I was honoured. She was one of the players that I looked up to most, just when I was starting to play, and she’s such an inspiration to me.”
Frodin – who lost to Swiss player Viktorija Golubic in qualifying for the Miami Open in March – will bank $140,000 (£130,000) for this appearance in the Last 128.
She said: “I’m trying to stay in the moment as much as possible
“This is a huge opportunity for me to enjoy the moment, have fun and see what I can do.
“The atmosphere, how loud the crowd will be, I feel like I fit well in that environment.
“To be standing here right now and actually getting a chance to play in the main draw, it means everything.”
