Alycia Parks picked up an impressive first round victory against Elisabetta Cocciaretto at the Madrid Open.
Parks has beaten the likes of Alexandra Eala, Maria Sakkari, and Diana Schnaider so far in 2026 as she has returned to the top 100 of the WTA Tour rankings.
The American reached the round of 16 at the Stuttgart Open and she now has a big opportunity of another run on the clay in Madrid.
Parks has never been truly at home on the surface, but she’s revealed some tips she’s received from Serena Williams.
Serena Williams’ advice for Alycia Parks
Parks had been hitting with Williams in the United States as comeback rumours continue to swirl around the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
Their practices also saw Williams give Parks some guidance when it comes to playing on clay, according to the 25 year old.
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Speaking on after her victory against Cocciaretto, she said: “She told me that you just can’t hit everything flat on clay, so that’s what I’ve learned and what I’m putting into my matches now.
“So she’s definitely helping me a lot out there! It’s coming together. You just have to build the point. I have to tell myself that it’s not going to be serve plus one all the time.
“I just tell myself to relax out there, that it’s not going to be three shots. That’s not how you’re going to play on clay, so that’s what I’ve been working on.”
Parks lost in the first round in Linz, but she managed to pick up three wins including the qualifying phase in Stuttgart.
“I was struggling a little bit in Linz, but I went to Stuttgart and I was like… ‘How do I put points together on clay?’ So I’ve been watching a lot of tennis on this surface, and it’s been getting me through matches.”
Parks plays her compatriot Ann Li in the next round of the Madrid Open as she looks to build upon her best effort at the Spanish tournament.
The American reached the third round of the competition back in 2023, after defeating Victoria Azarenka and Anna Karolína Schmiedlová.
Alycia Parks’ record so far this season
Parks has started the season in solid fashion, although she is yet to live up to the potential she has shown over the years.
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After her victory in Madrid, Parks currently holds a 14-12 win-loss record so far this season from her first 13 tournaments.
Parks’ best run at a tournament so far this year came at the Ostrava Open, where she picked up two victories to reach the quarter-finals.
The American is yet to win more than two matches in a WTA Tour main draw, so there is plenty of room for improvement.
