Tennis legend Serena Williams criticized a luxury hotel in Paris for allegedly denying her and her children access to the hotel's rooftop restaurant amidst the Olympic Games.
- Aug 6, 2024
AceShowbiz - Serena Williams, the world-renowned tennis legend, recently called out The Peninsula Paris on X, formerly known as Twitter, for denying her and her children access to the hotel's rooftop restaurant. Williams, who was in Paris to enjoy the 2024 Olympics, expressed her frustration publicly, causing a stir among her fans and followers.
"Yikes @peninsulaparis I've been denied access to rooftop to eat in an empty restaurant of nicer places … but never with my kids. Always a first," Williams tweeted, adding the hashtag #Olympic2024.
Her candid post was met with an outpouring of support from her fans, with one commenting, "Who doesn't make room for a queen?" and another jesting, "You can buy the whole damn place," referencing her significant career earnings of nearly $100 million in prize money.
The incident occurred on Monday evening, August 5, adding an unfortunate footnote to what has otherwise been a spectacular Olympic experience for Williams. She arrived in Paris in late July for the Olympics opening ceremony, where she served as a torchbearer alongside notable athletes like Rafael Nadal, Carl Lewis, and Nadia Comaneci. Williams described the ceremony, despite the rain, as "unforgettable."
Williams has stayed in Paris to watch the Olympic tennis events, making notable appearances at matches, including the men's singles final where Novak Djokovic triumphed over Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic's victory was especially sweet after a previous defeat by Alcaraz at Wimbledon.
The Peninsula Paris has yet to comment on the incident, despite outreach from various media outlets. Williams' representatives were also not immediately available for comment.
Serena Williams' illustrious career includes four Olympic gold medals, with notable victories in both singles and doubles categories. Alongside her sister Venus Williams, she claimed women's doubles gold in Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008, and London 2012. Her solo victory in women's singles at the London 2012 games is another highlight in a career studded with accomplishments.
The renowned athlete retired from professional tennis following the 2022 U.S. Open, but continues to make waves both on and off the court. Her recent experience at The Peninsula Paris has sparked a conversation about how even those at the pinnacle of their careers can face unexpected hurdles. Fans and followers are left waiting to see if The Peninsula Paris will address the situation or offer any explanation for the exclusion.
As the 2024 Olympic Games continue, Serena Williams remains a prominent figure, not just for her past achievements but also for how she navigates her journey post-retirement, with her family ever by her side.