By: Riha Rao Image credit: People
The Serena Williams impact on American tennis will continue long after Serena Williams retires, as demonstrated by Alycia Parks.
She tells herself to remain composed and maintain her composure. For the majority of the past 20 years, Serena has made the same gesture in precisely those tense circumstances.
Parks, 21 years old, is skilled at channeling Serena. She had previously acted as Venus Williams' body double in Gatorade commercials.
"It felt good at the US Open that I got to hit with both of them. Serena especially, because I look up to Serena. She's the GOAT of tennis. What can you do besides look up to her? She's literally tennis," Alycia said.
“Serena called me when I was 7 or 8. She was saying positive things and telling me to stick with it. Now that I’m here, I’m sure she’s proud.” said Parks.
The Williams sisters and another of their successors, Coco Gauff, are echoed throughout Parks' nascent career who is coached by their same mentor.
Parks didn't experience the highest degree of success as a teenager, in contrast to Serena. However, Alycia has one thing in common with Serena. They both were once coached by the legendary Rick Macci.
If Parks can maintain this upward trend and strive for her maiden Slam victory, she will be added to the impressive list of accomplished athletes who have been taught by Macci, including Serena Williams.