The View Across the Net From Serena
An interview with Alycia Parks, Serena's frequent current hitting partner, about Serena Williams's present—and possible future—in tennis.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — One of the most discussed players around the grounds at this year’s Miami Open has been one who isn’t playing—even after some anticipation that she could have been.
Serena Williams, who was reinstated into professional tennis about a month ago following her completion of six months in the tennis anti-doping “whereabouts” program to undo her official retirement, did not return to competition at this closest ATP-WTA 1000 event to her Florida base, as some speculated she might.
But a little more than an hour’s drive up the Florida Turnpike from the tournament, Serena has been on the tennis court a lot lately, as I learned in an interview with the WTA player who has become a frequent hitting partner and mentee of the 23-time major champion.
Alycia Parks, a 25-year-old ranked 105th, has been on court with Serena as often as three times a week recently, she said in an interview with Bounces on Thursday at the Miami Open.
“She edited it, and she was like, ‘OK—let’s break the internet.’” -Alycia Parks on Serena Williams producing a video of one of their practice sessions.
No one on the tennis tour has seen as much of Serena’s current tennis form as Parks. To read our interview, and more of Parks’ updates and insights on Serena’s present and future, please subscribe to Bounces! -Ben
