Big servers give you a huge advantage in tennis. Speed, power, dip, and precision are the ingredients of a great serve. In the WTA, Serena and Venus Williams have dominated the service records for a long time. With both sisters missing out on the 2021 U.S. Open, fans got a glimpse of their powerful presence through youngster Alicia Parks. In their first round matchup, Parks set an incredible record.
The 20-year-old entered the US Open as a wild card and attracted a lot of attention. Parks, who was born in Atlanta, USA, was a home favorite and received a lot of cheers at the opening game. Before the tournament began, Parks was in line for Venus Williams to take advantage of her wild card. But when the 41-year-old Grand Slam champion qualified for the main draw, Parks grabbed the wild card with both hands. And in the battle in round 1, she showed amazing tennis, especially on her serve.
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Parks equals Venus Williams’ US Open service speed record
via Reuters
Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, London, UK – June 30, 2021 Venus Williams of the United States in action in the second round against Ons Jabeur of Tunisia Reuters/Peter Nicholls
Previously, former US Open champion Venus held the record for fastest serve at Flushing Meadows. The American player set the record in 2007, ahead of other big servers such as his sister Serena. Since then, no player has matched his 199 mph speed until the younger Parks set the record on Monday. She also recorded a serve that hit 199 miles per hour, matching her great accomplishment.
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The Williams Sisters are not here #USOpen Their legacy lives on this year.
Atlanta’s 20-year-old Alicia Parks, who received a wild card into the U.S. Open because Venus Williams no longer requires a wild card, today matched Venus’ record with a 199 mph serve, the fastest female serve in U.S. Open history. got in line. pic.twitter.com/7g4bSnMwD7
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) August 31, 2021
Competing in her first Grand Slam main draw, Alicia Parks faced Olga Danilovic in round one. Showing her brilliance, Parks hit several sensational serves, including a historic one. It reminded me of Williams’ legacy 14 years ago, when Venus also served in their first-round match. It was a serving masterclass from the rising star of American tennis. Despite her best efforts and a serve that matched her record, Parks lost to her Serbian opponent 3-6, 5-7.
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Despite suffering a premature departure, there are bright spots for young Alicia Parks. If she continues to work hard, she will soon be able to turn these tough losses into her own convincing wins. Maybe it’s the growth of a future icon who can emulate the legendary Williams sisters.
