THE Peninsula restaurant in Paris has rejected claims it denied Serena Williams access during the 2024 Olympic Games.
The tennis icon lashed out at the fancy eatery after failing to get a rooftop table for herself and her children on Monday.
“Yikes @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in a empty restaurant of nicer places but never with my kids,” Williams, 42, posted on X.
“Always a first. #Olympic2024.”
Soon after, The Penisula responded to Williams’ post, explaining the place was booked up.
“Dear Mrs. Williams, please accept our deepest apologies for the disappointment you encountered tonight,” the restaurant wrote.
“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.”
Williams has been at the Paris Olympics since the 2024 Games began.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion was involved in the opening ceremony.
She joined the torch-bearing Rafael Nadal, former Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci, and US track and field icon Carl Lewis, on a boat traveling through the River Seine.
It proved to be a rocky ride, though, with the ceremony taking place in heavy rain.
Still, Williams said it was an “unforgettable” experience.
“Truly unforgettable,” she posted on X.
“From being part of an amazing Open Ceremony at the Paris Olympics – to riding in the boat in the rain – and it was pouring!
“So much so my lashes came right on off. Unforgettable!
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Williams has also attended some of the Olympic events.
Recently, she sat in the stands during Novak Djokovic’s win over Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s tennis final.
Williams ended her illustrious tennis career in 2022.
She played at four Olympic Games, making her debut in Sydney in 2000.
The tennis legend won four Olympic golds, three of which came in a duet with her sister Venus in the doubles tournament.
Williams claimed a singles victory at the Wimbledon courts during the London 2012 Games.
