via Imago
New York Empire vs Washington Kastles from the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
via Imago
New York Empire vs Washington Kastles from the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.
Big servers have a massive added advantage in the Tennis. Speed, power, dip and accuracy are the ingredients for a great serve. In the WTA, Serena and Venus Williams have dominated the service records for a long period of time. With both sisters missing out on the US Open 2021, fans got a glimpse of their powerful presence through youngster Alycia Parks. In her first round match-up, Parks matched a phenomenal record.
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The 20-year-old entered the US Open as a wildcard, and drew many eyes. Born in Atlanta, USA, Parks was a home favorite and received a lot of support in her opening bout. Before the tournament began, Parks was on the waiting line with Venus Williams set to make use of the wildcard. However, when the 41-year-old Grand Slam champion was entered into the main draw, Parks grabbed the wildcard with both hands. And in her Round-1 battle, she displayed some jaw-dropping tennis, particularly on her serve.
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Parks equals US Open service speed record held by Venus Williams
via Reuters
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 30, 2021 Venus Williams of the U.S. in action during her second round match against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur REUTERS/Peter Nicholls
Previously, the former US Open winner Venus held the record for the fastest serve at Flushing Meadows. Ahead of other big servers such as her sister Serena, the American claimed the record way back in 2007. Since then, no player was able to match the speed of 129 mph, until the young Parks did so on Monday. She also sent down a service clocking 129 mph, equaling the great achievement.
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The Williams Sisters aren’t at the #USOpen this year, but their legacy lives on:
20-year-old Alycia Parks of Atlanta, who got a wildcard into the US Open when Venus Williams no longer needed hers, today tied Venus’ record for fastest women’s serve in US Open history: 129 mph. pic.twitter.com/7g4bSnMwD7
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 31, 2021
Playing in her first Grand Slam main draw, Alycia Parks took on Olga Danilovic in Round-1. Showcasing flashes of brilliance, Parks sent down some sensational serves, including the historic one. It brought back memories of the Williams legacy, way back when Venus also hit the serve in her first round encounter 14 years ago. It was a serving masterclass from a rising star in American tennis. Despite her best efforts and the record-matching serve, Parks went down 3-6 5-7 to her Serbian opponent.
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READ MORE: Nick Kyrgios Close to Move Out of Top 100 in World Rankings After US Open 2021 Loss
Although she suffered a premature exit, the signs are positive for the young Alycia Parks. Provided she keeps working hard, she will soon be converting these tight losses into convincing victories. Who knows, perhaps it is the growth of a future icon who can emulate the legendary Williams sisters!
