"You can’t just hit everything flat": Serena Williams advice shaping Alycia Parks’ clay surge in Madrid
WTAThursday, 23 April 2026 at 04:30
Alycia Parks continued her upward trajectory on clay with a controlled 6-3, 6-2 win over Elisabetta Cocciaretto in the opening round of the Madrid Open. The result extended her run at the Caja Mágica, where she had already secured two qualifying victories, marking her third consecutive win at the tournament this week.
The American, currently navigating a 16–12 season record, has shown notable improvement on clay over recent weeks. After reaching the Round of 16 in Stuttgart through qualifying, where she fell to Mirra Andreeva, Parks has now won six of her last seven matches on the surface, indicating a shift in both approach and execution.
Madrid has historically offered Parks conditions that suit her game, particularly due to altitude, which enhances her serve. However, her progression this season has been tied less to raw power and more to tactical adaptation, especially in longer rallies that clay demands.
Parks will next face Ann Li, the 31st seed, with a place in the third round on the line. A win would see her match her best result at the Madrid Open, having previously reached that stage in 2023—her only appearance in the last 32 of a WTA 1000 event.
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Parks acknowledged that transitioning her aggressive baseline game to clay has required a structural rethink. Where her natural instinct is to shorten points, she has had to recalibrate expectations, recognising that success on slower surfaces depends on constructing rallies rather than finishing them early.
She framed this shift as both tactical and mental, emphasising the need to remain composed when points extend beyond her preferred patterns. Rather than forcing outcomes, Parks has focused on sequencing shots more deliberately and accepting longer exchanges as part of the process.
“I think you just have to build the point,” the 25-year-old American player said in Tennis Channel after her first-round victory. “I had to tell myself that it’s not going to be serve plus one all the time. So I had to learn to build the point out there.”
This adjustment has translated into more consistent performances. Parks noted that preparation now includes reviewing matches and studying clay-court patterns, an approach she intensified after earlier struggles in the season. The emphasis has been on understanding how to “put points together” rather than relying on isolated winners.
“Yeah, I just tell myself to relax out there. It’s not going to be three shots—that’s just not how you play on clay. So that’s what I’ve been working on before coming into tournaments, and it’s been doing me well.”
Serena Williams’ influence and competitive mindset
A significant factor in Parks’ development has been her exposure to Serena Williams during training sessions earlier this year. The guidance received has directly informed her tactical adjustments, particularly regarding shot selection and variation.
Williams’ input addressed a key limitation in Parks’ game—over-reliance on flat hitting. Incorporating spin and variation has become central to her clay-court evolution, allowing her to extend rallies more effectively and manage different match situations. “Yeah, she’s actually told me, ‘You can’t just hit everything flat.’ So that’s what I’ve learned, and that’s what I’m putting into my matches now. She’s definitely helped me a lot.”
Beyond tactics, Parks also highlighted the psychological dimension of competition. Her response to losses remains intense, using defeats as a trigger for immediate analysis and adjustment, even at the cost of rest. “It’s so funny because when I do lose, I cannot sleep. I lose sleep and I’m like, ‘What can I do better the next time?’ So if I want to sleep, I have to win matches.”
Madrid context and next-round test
Parks’ current run builds on previous experience in Madrid, where her best result came in 2023 with a third-round appearance—her deepest run at a WTA 1000 event. On that occasion, she was eliminated by Martina Trevisan, but the current trajectory suggests a more complete version of her game.
Her next opponent will be Ann Li, the 31st seed, presenting a controlled baseline challenge. Parks indicated that while her level is stable, marginal gains in decision-making and composure will be key to progressing further.
She pointed specifically to patience and clarity in point construction as areas to refine, reinforcing the broader theme of her clay-court transition. “I would say I’m playing pretty good right now. Maybe just a few points—be more patient, make the right decisions out there, and stay calm.”
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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