Serena Williams has criticised a Michelin-starred restaurant in Paris after alleging that she and her children were denied entry.
The tennis legend shared her experience on X (formerly Twitter), stating that she and her family were not allowed into the rooftop restaurant L’Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula hotel.
The sports star remarked that it was the first time she had been turned away while accompanied by her family.
She wrote: “Yikes @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to a rooftop to eat in an empty restaurant of nicer places [sic] but never with my kids. Always a first.”
Fans swiftly came to Williams' defence online, with one X user questioning: “How does one get denied when they are Serena Wiliams...lol.”
“Glad you didn't have to waste money there," another penned. A third added: “Who doesn’t make room for a queen?”
In light of her post, the hotel defended itself on it’s official X account, stating that they were in fact fully booked that night but she and her family would “always be welcome”.
Yikes @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in a empty restaurant of nicer places 🫠 but never with my kids. Always a first. 🙄#Olympic2024 pic.twitter.com/lEGJR5WoEn
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) August 5, 2024
The Pennisula Hotel penned: “Dear Mrs Williams, Please accept our deepest apologies for the disappointment you encountered tonight.
“Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked and the only unoccupied tables you saw belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was fully reserved.
"We have always been honored to welcome you and will always be to welcome you again," they added.
The Standard has contacted Serena Williams’ rep for comment.
Williams has been enjoying her time in Paris since late July, participating in the Olympics' opening ceremony as a torchbearer and attending various events with her family.
The retired tennis legend, who ended her professional career after the 2022 U.S. Open, joined other renowned athletes like Rafael Nadal, nine-time medalist Carl Lewis, and soccer star Zinedine Zidane during the ceremony on July 26.
Dear Mrs. Williams,
— The Peninsula Paris (@peninsulaparis) August 5, 2024
Please accept our deepest apologies for the disappointment you encountered tonight.
Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked and the only unoccupied tables you saw belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was fully reserved.
Williams has remained in the French capital for the duration of the games, making appearances at several tennis matches. She was spotted watching Novak Djokovic's match against Carlos Alcaraz, where Djokovic secured the gold medal in the men's singles tournament.
Williams herself is a celebrated Olympian, having won four gold medals throughout her career. Three of these were achieved with her sister, Venus Williams, in the women's doubles at the Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008, and London 2012 Olympics.
Her fourth medal came from winning the women's singles event at the London 2012 games.
