It’s an exciting time for Alycia Parks as she makes her Australian Open main draw debut. The world No.82 is set to face off against the fourth seed Coco Gauff in what promises to be a thrilling showdown. Parks, who failed to qualify for AO 2023, is now making a mark with her impressive performance, reaching the round of 32 for the first time in her career.
With 23 aces in her first two matches, Parks leads the women’s singles field and boasts a powerful serve, clocking in at 197 kilometers per hour, just behind Gauff. She attributes her strong serve as one of her best weapons, drawing inspiration from her countrywoman and tennis legend, Serena Williams, who has been a significant influence on her game.
Recalling a moment from her past, Parks shared that Serena had reached out to her and her sister with positive words, leaving a lasting impact. Her father also emphasized Serena’s influence on their lives, instilling the belief that they can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Off the court, Parks has also made waves, sporting a “Queen” necklace from Serena Williams’ jewellery line during the Lyon Open, where she clinched her maiden WTA title by defeating top seed Caroline Garcia.
With her Australian coach Mark Hlawaty by her side, Parks is gearing up for her highly-anticipated match against Gauff, ready to showcase her skills and make her mark on the grand stage of the Australian Open.
