NEW YORK — Seventeen‑year‑old American tennis hopeful Thea Frodin stepped onto Arthur Ashe Stadium on Tuesday for her first US Open appearance. The teen, who earned a wildcard by winning the USTA Girls’ 18s National Championships, faced world No. 2 Elena Rybakina and was defeated 6‑1, 6‑1.
Despite the lopsided score, Frodin said the match offered a “fun experience” and a clear view of how the sport’s top players execute their shots. “It was a fun experience to kind of see how the best players in the world, how they hit their balls and their shots,” she told reporters after the match.
Dreaming of meeting Serena Williams
Frodin’s excitement goes beyond the result. Five years after portraying Serena Williams in the film “King Richard,” the teen still hopes to meet the 23‑time Grand Slam champion in person. Serena, who returned to competition at the Queen’s Club Championships in London and now plays doubles with sister Venus at Flushing Meadows, remains a guiding figure for the young athlete.
“Hopefully I can get the chance soon to get the opportunity to meet her,” Frod1n said. She added that handling the media attention surrounding her connection to Williams has been a learning curve, but she is focused on staying grounded.
Looking ahead
Frodin will compete in the girls’ US Open next week and plans to finish high school before deciding whether to turn professional or pursue college tennis. “I’m not rushing into kind of making a decision with all that,” she explained. “I’m taking this year and next year to finish high school and then see where I am then.”
Actor Will Smith, who portrayed Serena’s father Richard Williams in the same film, reposted one of Frodin’s social‑media posts before her match, a moment the teen described as “pretty cool.”
What the debut means for a rising star
While the loss highlighted the gap between junior and elite competition, Frodin’s aggressive playing style and willingness to learn suggest a promising future. “My goal on court is always to have an aggressive game style. Today I feel like it was a bit harder to bring that out. Hopefully the next time I can be more experienced and see what I can do,” she said.
For now, the 17‑year‑old will continue to develop her game on the junior circuit, aiming to return to Flushing Meadows with more experience and, perhaps, a chance to shake hands with the legend who inspired her.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
