From Serena's body double to the US Open: Thea Frodin impresses with 11 aces against Rybakina

There are sports stories that even a seasoned writer must pause to verify. An 18-year-old girl, who had never played a main-draw match at a Grand Slam, walked onto the Arthur Ashe court to face Elena Rybakina – a player considered a strong title contender. But what makes this story different is not the match result. It lies in the fact that Thea Frodin – a name just turned 18 – once served as a body double for Serena Williams on the set of 'King Richard'. Let me take you back to New York. US Open 2026, first round. A wild card was awarded to the USTA 18-and-under national champion, and Frodin earned that ticket. She won the USTA Girls' 18s national championship, a dream for many young players. But her first-round opponent was Elena Rybakina – a player who had already recorded 30 hard-court wins this season, tying with Jessica Pegula, an impressive number. When the draw was announced, many expected an early exit for Frodin. But she surprised everyone. Numbers often tell the story. In that match, Frodin fired 11 aces – nearly double that of Rybakina. You may not know this, but Rybakina is one of the best servers on the WTA tour, with a powerful and precise delivery. Yet Frodin showed no fear. She stood there, unleashing serves with pace and spin that forced Rybakina to struggle on returns. Those in the stands witnessed a rare moment: a young, unranked player overpowering one of the world's elite. Of course, Rybakina still won. She found a way to overcome, because class and experience always matter. But Frodin proved one thing: she is not just a stunt double. What makes this even more intriguing is the backstory. Frodin served as a body double for Serena Williams in the film 'King Richard' – a movie about the journey of Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena. One could say she learned how to move on a tennis court from those filming sessions with Serena. But when she stepped onto the real court, she turned those lessons into killer serves. I recall a recorded story: many sports stunt doubles later become professional athletes, but few have ever faced a top-5 player at a Grand Slam. Frodin did just that. However, I believe we should not rush to place huge expectations on her. One match, no matter how impressive, is still just one match. Eleven aces are beautiful, but what about her first-serve percentage, double faults, and return game? We lack sufficient data. Experienced analysts look at the bigger picture. Yet what Frodin showed is a clear signal: she can compete at the highest level, at least in terms of serving power. For an 18-year-old, that is a solid foundation. As for Rybakina, she is moving closer to the world No. 1 spot. If she reaches the semifinals, she will surpass Sabalenka – who is defending 2026 champion points from last year's US Open. With 30 hard-court wins, Rybakina is one of the most consistent players. But Frodin's story is what makes this match memorable. Because the court may change hands, but the nights you lose your voice shouting for a name – those are never for sale. Frodin had such a night, and she wrote a story that no one else can tell. People remember transfer fees; I remember the look in a captain's eyes when he signed his last contract. Here, there is no contract, but there is a girl who just crossed the line between fiction and reality. And I believe that if she continues to develop, we will hear the name Thea Frodin much more. Not just because she once doubled for Serena Williams, but because she has a serve that can beat anyone.