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 Hotel’s 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.
“Yikes @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to [the] rooftop to eat in [an] empty restaurant of nicer places 🫠 but never with my kids.” she wrote.
“Always a first. 🙄#Olympic2024.”
The Peninsula Hotel, known for its opulent amenities and stunning views, swiftly responded to Williams’ tweet.The hotel offered its sincere apologies, according to US Weekly.
HOTEL OFFERS APOLOGIES TO SERENA WILLIAMS
“In response to Mrs. Williams’ 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 tonight’s situation,” the statement read.
“Today, 5 August, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked, and the only unoccupied tables at that time belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was also fully reserved tonight.”
The hotel’s apology continued, “She has always been, and will always be, more than welcome with her family at The Peninsula.”
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 Comăneci.
While at the ceremony, Ohanian, 41, was mistakenly identified by broadcasters as the person holding Williams’ umbrella.
Commentator Laura Woods remarked, “She [Serena] looks absolutely incredible.She’s got someone just behind us holding an umbrella. Those are the levels you aspire to.
OHANIAN ‘THE UMBRELLA HOLDER’
To have an actual umbrella holder behind you.”
Ohanian took the blunder in stride. “Olympia. Serena Williams. Serena’s Personal Umbrella Holder. 😂” he joked on Instagram.
He then shared a photo of himself with Williams and their daughter.
“Let the games begin! I’ll be watching a lot of T&F [track and field events] to soak up @athlos inspiration. 🥇”
Despite the dining debacle, Williams’ 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 women’s doubles with her sister Venus at each event.
This year, however, she was relishing the chance to witness other athletes compete.
“It’s fun! The Olympics in Paris is really, really incredible,” Williams said.
“I don’t know if it’s fun or I’m a little jealous. I did do the London/Wimbledon combination, but I was a little jealous of here!”
THE OLYMPIC SPIRIT
While the situation at The Peninsula may have cast a shadow, it seems Williams is maintaining her positive outlook.
The hotel’s 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 world’s greatest sporting event, Serena Williams remains a formidable presence both on and off the court.