Serena Williams compliments Alycia Parks on first WTA title with gifts from her jewelry label
Alycia Parks' heroics in Lyon last month caught the attention of 23-time Major champion Serena Williams, who congratulated the rising American star with a delightful gesture.
22-year-old Parks overcame a string of seeded players in Petra Martic, Danka Kovinic and top seed Caroline Garcia to lift her maiden WTA trophy in Lyon. The win assisted her rise into the WTA top 50 for the first time in her career.
Upon returning home for the hard-court swing at Indian Wells and in Miami, Alycia Parks received a congratulatory gift from none other than Serena Williams.
Parks was gifted pieces from Williams' jewelry label, Serena Williams Jewelry, including earrings and a gold-plated necklace engraved with the word "winner".
The young American took to Instagram to express her excitement and thank Williams for the kind gesture.
"Congratulations on your first WTA singles title win!," the accompanying note read. "As a token of this incredible milestone please enjoy our winner necklace and Unstoppable Diamond stud earrings. We can't wait to see you rock your bling!"
🫶
oh my god 😭🫶 https://t.co/Y9q9I3yMBs
Parks was handed a first-round exit at Indian Wells last week by Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets. The American will next be seen in action at the upcoming Miami Open.
Serena Williams felicitated at NAACP Image awards
Serena Williams' trailblazing achievements on and off the court were celebrated at the recently-held National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Awards. The former World No. 1 received the Jackie Robinson Sports Award, named after the path-breaking African-American baseball star from the mid-20th century.
The NAACP Awards, first presented in 1967, were initiated to honor people of color in the United States for exceptional feats across performing arts, literature, and social activism, amongst other categories. Williams was decorated during the evening for "high achievement in athletics along with their pursuit of social justice, civil rights and community involvement."
In her acceptance speech, the 41-year-old accentuated the importance of pursuing one's calling and expressed gratitude at receiving the honor alongside the likes of civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump and actors Angela Bassett and Viola Davis, amongst others.
"I'm incredibly humbled to be amongst some of the greatest names in today's culture, celebrating those who promote equity through creative endeavors," Serena Williams said. "Together, we are a team of trailblazers, and we represent what is possible, when you truly believe in yourself, and your potential, and follow your life and passion".