Serena Williams has been caught up in a controversy involving a Parisian luxury hotel.
The retired tennis star and her family were reportedly denied access to The Peninsula Hotelâs rooftop restaurant, sparking a public apology from the establishment.
SERENA WILLIAMS VOICES HER FRUSTRATIONS
Williams, 42, took to X (formerly Twitter) on 5 August to express her frustration.
âYikes @peninsulaparis Iâve been denied access to [the] rooftop to eat in [an] empty restaurant of nicer places đ« but never with my kids.â she wrote.
âAlways a first. đ#Olympic2024.â
The Peninsula Hotel, known for its opulent amenities and stunning views, swiftly responded to Williamsâ tweet.The hotel offered its sincere apologies, according to US Weekly.
HOTEL OFFERS APOLOGIES TO SERENA WILLIAMS
âIn response to Mrs. Williamsâ tweet, for whom we have the utmost admiration and respect, as we do for all our esteemed guests, we can only reiterate our deepest apologies for her perception of tonightâs situation,â the statement read.
âToday, 5 August, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked, and the only unoccupied tables at that time belonged to our gourmet restaurant, LâOiseau Blanc, which was also fully reserved tonight.â
The hotelâs apology continued, âShe has always been, and will always be, more than welcome with her family at The Peninsula.â
The incident unfolded as Williams was in Paris for the 2024 Olympics, according to the New York Post.
SERENA WILLIAMS AND HER FAMILY IN PARIS
Accompanied by her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their two daughters, Olympia and Adira, the tennis legend was enjoying her time at the Games.
Williams had participated in the torch relay for the Opening Ceremony, sharing the stage with luminaries such as Rafael Nadal and Nadia ComÄneci.
While at the ceremony, Ohanian, 41, was mistakenly identified by broadcasters as the person holding Williamsâ umbrella.
Commentator Laura Woods remarked, âShe [Serena] looks absolutely incredible.Sheâs got someone just behind us holding an umbrella. Those are the levels you aspire to.
OHANIAN âTHE UMBRELLA HOLDERâ
To have an actual umbrella holder behind you.â
Ohanian took the blunder in stride. âOlympia. Serena Williams. Serenaâs Personal Umbrella Holder. đâ he joked on Instagram.
He then shared a photo of himself with Williams and their daughter.
âLet the games begin! Iâll be watching a lot of T&F [track and field events] to soak up @athlos inspiration. đ„â
Despite the dining debacle, Williamsâ presence at the Olympics was a highlight, according to Fox News.
THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Known for her illustrious career, Serena Williams is a four-time Olympian, having competed in 2000, 2008, 2012, and 2016.
Williams secured gold medals in womenâs doubles with her sister Venus at each event.
This year, however, she was relishing the chance to witness other athletes compete.
âItâs fun! The Olympics in Paris is really, really incredible,â Williams said.
âI donât know if itâs fun or Iâm a little jealous. I did do the London/Wimbledon combination, but I was a little jealous of here!â
THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT
While the situation at The Peninsula may have cast a shadow, it seems Williams is maintaining her positive outlook.
The hotelâs apology and her continued enjoyment of the Games suggest that the mix-up has not dampened her Olympic spirit.
With her family by her side and a front-row seat to the worldâs greatest sporting event, Serena Williams remains a formidable presence both on and off the court.