"Watching Alycia Parks shine" - Venus Williams celebrates young American as she breaks 13-match losing streak at French Open 2024
Young American star Alycia Parks finally broke her 13-match losing streak with a win at the 2024 French Open. Her victory was celebrated by one of her idols, Venus Williams.
Parks had not won a match since her third-round finish at the Australian Open in January earlier this year. She defeated Daria Snigur and Leylah Fernandez before losing to Coco Gauff to register her best performance at a Grand Slam. Since then, Parks had endured a 13-match losing streak at tour and Challenger level.
The 23-year-old broke that unfortunate run in the qualifying round of the 2024 French Open. The American is seeded 28th in the qualifying draw and faced Manon Leonard in the first round. The Frenchwoman, ranked 283rd, took the first set and looked set to levy another defeat on World No. 135 Parks.
But the American showed resilience to level the score in the second set and prevailed over Leonard in the third to win her first singles match, 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, since January 19. The victory was a turnaround moment for Alycia Parks and was celebrated by her peers, including Venus Williams.
The 43-year-old shared on Instagram that she watched Parks' first-round qualifying match in Paris. Williams, a former Roland Garros finalist, posted a story on Instagram and celebrated her triumph on the court after a long time.
"Watching @alyciaparks shine," Venus Williams wrote.
Alycia Parks will play Sara Saito of Japan in the second round of qualification stage at the 2024 Roland Garros. The former World No. 40 made her main draw debut at the clay slam last year but came up short against Marketa Vondrousova in the first round.
Venus Williams last played at French Open in 2021
Venus Williams is set to miss another French Open as the veteran American has not received a main draw wildcard for this year's tournament. Williams does not have a substantial record in Paris; in fact, out of all four Majors, the French Open has been her least productive, with just one finals appearance.
Williams last played at the tournament in 2021. She lost to Ekaterina Alexandrova in her singles first-round clash. The former World No. 1 formed an exciting partnership with young American Coco Gauff to play doubles at the tournament. Unfortunately, the duo was defeated in the opening round by Zheng Saisai and Ellen Perez.
In 2024, Williams has played only two tournaments. She began her season at the Indian Wells Open via wildcard but lost to Nai Hibino in a three-set affair. The seven-time Grand Slam champion then suffered defeat in the first round of the Miami Open against Diana Shnaider.