Before starting her day, Alycia Parks thanks God for her greatest gift: “Tennis is a luxury for me.”
A devout believer who even prays on the court, and a fan of karaoke, Parks has a powerful game and aggressive style. The American first gained recognition on the indoor courts of France in 2023 when she achieved her first success on the main tour. At the WTA 250 in Lyon, her fierce shots and positive mindset came together perfectly, leading her to lift the trophy.
Parks is one of those players who sets the pace on the court: she either wins with a flurry of winners or loses with a string of unforced errors. While she was inspired in Lyon, that same level and consistency didn’t show much in the rest of that season, nor in 2024. Except at the Australian Open, where she made it to the third round.
In March, seeking to regain her form, she reached out to Sascha Bajin, former coach of Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka. The partnership didn’t click; they lasted only a couple of tournaments together. Later, Bajin explained that they didn’t share the same work vision. “She’s a super sweet girl off court, but we couldn’t have the same vision when it comes to work,” said the German of Serbian origin.
How does Parks plan to get back to her best level? The advice comes from Williams herself. “Serena is a huge inspiration; she helps me a lot. She says, ‘go back to what you were doing before when you were winning’”, Parks told CLAY in this interview. The 23-year-old took the advice of the 23-time Grand Slam champion and returned to training with her father, her lifelong coach.
Interview with Alycia Parks
– How would you describe your journey after your first title in Lyon?
– I’d say it was a bit rocky because I tried to change what was helping me win, which was obviously the wrong decision. I found the wrong answers, so I had to return to the basics and try to get back on my winning streak.
– It wasn’t the season you would have expected, was it? After a strong 2023, you were on the rise…
– I did well in Australia 2024 (lost in the third round against Coco Gauff), but then I went on a losing streak—mainly due to distractions. I had to get back to what I was doing before, keeping it simple, going back to my dad for coaching advice, having him closer to me and things like that.
– That’s a similar story to Serena and Venus Williams, as your dads has been both your coach and inspiration in the sport. So, I’m curious how important has the Williams sisters’ legacy been to your personal journey?
– Serena is a big inspiration, she helps me a lot. I talk to her here and there. When I have a question I ask her and she always gives me a good answer.
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– What is the most important thing she has taught you?
– I think the biggest thing she told me was ‘go back to what you were doing when you were winning’ and then she was saying obviously your parents know you better than anyone else and then she told me to go back to my dad, so that’s what I did.
– Do you consider yourself one of Serena’s protégé?
– I would say so, a little bit, yes.
– Are you friends with the top North American players? Do you hang out with Coco Gauff or Jessica Pegula?
– Well I’m not as close with them but we do speak to each other. I think we are all in our own little zone, but when we see each other we ask one another how we are doing.
– You are also an amateaur singer during your free time.
– (laughs) It’s definitely one of my hobbies. I love karaoke, even though I can’t sing, but I enjoy it—it gives me a bit of downtime. I sing with my sister and friends, and it’s always a great time.
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– What other things interest you apart from tennis?
– Well, I always put God first because at the end of the day tennis is just a sport. People forget to always wake up and thank God that you woke up this morning. So tennis is like luxury for me, I would say. Before a match, and even when I wake up in the morning I pray and get my day started.
– Do you pray on court as well?
– I do, yes.
– When you are match point down?
– I would say probably after every set is when I like to pray.
– You discovered your passion for tennis in a toy store. What was the story behind that?
– I was in elementary school, first grade maybe, and my mom took myself and my sister to choose a gift in Toys R Us because we made all A’s and B’s on our report cards. My sister picked a toy, but I was taking forever, so my mom was like you have five minutes to find something. It happened I saw next to me two tennis racquets and some balls. There was a tennis court in the neighbourhood, so my mom took us there. That’s how all started!
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