Thursday, 27 June 2024 19:15 PM BST
She's such a mom: Parks looks to Serena

Coming off court having qualified for the Wimbledon main draw, Alycia Parks checked her phone and 'Serena' popped up.

That's right, Serena Williams.

The all-time great, 23-time Grand Slam champion is somewhat of a long-term mentor to her follow American.

There are plenty of on-court comparisons, which could explain why Parks once acted as Williams' body double in an energy drink commercial.

 

Williams is such an idol for Parks that the 23-year-old wears a 'winner' gold necklace from the hall-of-famer's jewellery line.

"I'm pretty close to her now… she's such a mom, I feel like I'm one of her kids," Parks told wimbledon.com.

"She's texted already today saying 'we're not worried about the last match, we're just worried about the next match.' It's a positive thing she's told me to always look forward.

"We'll talk ahead of the main draw, she'll want me to 'stay focused, one point, one match at a time, then you'll look back and congratulate yourself when you're holding up the trophy.'"

 

We're back to kicking and winning.    

- Alycia Parks

Before hitting the grass courts, 2024 has been a rough ride for the world No.121, with Parks suffering a 13-match losing streak from January to May.

Reunited with her father Michael, Parks' coach since childhood, the 23-year-old has assembled a nine-match winning run, which included the Gaiba WTA 125 trophy on grass last week in Italy.

"Definitely my dad back in the picture has provided the spark," she said. "Nobody else knows me better than him.

"He came back at French Open, he had been sick, wasn't able to travel. He's thankfully back on his feet and we're back to kicking and winning.

"Off court we're fine, on court we're fighting. It’s kinda good though, he's the only person who can bring the dog, the fighter out of me."

 

Victory nine on the current unbeaten run was chalked up in Wimbledon Qualifying at Roehampton on Wednesday as Parks powered past British 15-year-old Hannah Klugman 6-3, 6-3.

Belief is never an issue for the Atlanta, Georgia, native.

"I'm pretty happy. I had a feeling I was going to qualify, especially coming off of last week, I felt like I was hitting the ball really good. That confidence certainly carried over here this week," she added.

"I can play well on grass because I can get a really good, solid base, I don't slip everywhere like on clay.

"I'm just looking up, the main draw will just be a new day."

 

Wimbledon memories centre around a certain seven-time singles champion – Serena.

"Definitely Serena. If it wasn't Serena, then I'm not really watching anything," Parks said. "She's still a huge inspiration to me. I just like her mannerisms, her charisma, everything.

"After I won my first WTA title in Lyon (2023) I got a gift in the mail and it was from her. It had this 'winner' necklace in there."

Hoping to channel Serena, with a reminder hanging around her neck, Parks will be pushing for plenty more 'winner' moments over the next fortnight in southwest London.