Thea Frodin of the United States has designs on competing on the world’s biggest and best courts, yet she has already rubbed shoulders with Hollywood megastars on the silver screen.

Frodin, who reached the third round of the Junior Championships, Wimbledon after defeating Felitsata Dorofeeva-Rybas 7-6(2) 7-5, was the body double for a young Serena Williams in the 2021 movie King Richard.

The film is a biographical sports drama that follows the story of Richard Williams, who is portrayed by Will Smith, as he coaches his daughters, Serena and Venus Williams, to global tennis stardom.

King Richard attracted highly positive reviews and Smith received a host of prestigious honours during the 2022 awards season, including the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe Award and the Screen Actors Guild Award.

Frodin, who was 12 years of age at the time, played her part too as the junior stunt and body double for Serena Williams – an idol of hers – as she emerged from neglected tennis courts in Compton, California.

“Featuring in King Richard was absolutely amazing,” said Frodin. “Seeing the celebrities there and seeing what they go through at times was fantastic. It was great to be in that environment, which was really healthy and supportive.

“I was on set for about six months in total. It was super fun, just a great time and I got to meet Will Smith. He is a super nice guy and I have some great memories of him. He is a great person on set, just cool and fun.

“The memory that sticks in my mind was after a scene we had in the rain. He has obviously been on set millions of times and knows the tricks of the trade, so he had a hot cup of water on the side.

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“In between sets, when we were absolutely drenched and freezing from the water, he would pour the hot water down my back and make me feel better, making sure I didn’t get a cold. He was also feeding the balls really well during the on-court scenes.

“It was good to go to one of the premieres too. I’ve watched the film about five times in total now. But it was hard to keep it a secret from my friends as you can’t say anything until the movie is out. But once it was out, they recognised my strokes even though it wasn’t my face."

Putting Hollywood glitz and glamour to one side, tennis remains a focus. Frodin has contested a smattering of junior events this season, reaching the semi-finals at the Australian Open, while gaining further exposure to professional tournaments, principally on the World Tennis Tour.

The 17-year-old made it to the final of W35 Arcadia and advanced to the semi-finals W35 Ystad last month as her journey along the player pathway continues. Such experience, together with her solid record at junior level, means Frodin is increasingly comfortable on the Grand Slam set.

“I do feel at home in these surroundings,” she added. “This will be my third and final Junior Championships and I have been in these sorts of areas, situations and atmospheres before and do feel at home.

“My opponent tested me a lot today and made me work for every point. I am happy, however, that I was able to pull through in two sets and make it easier on myself, rather than it going to a third.”

Richard Williams once suggested that Serena and Venus should stay calm, keep a clean heart and be humble. Thea Frodin would appear to possess such qualities. Perhaps this is her time to shine brightly at Wimbledon, just as Serena has previously. 

A full list of results from the 2026 Junior Championships, Wimbledon is available here.