When you cross a high-profile figure, you better be ready for the consequences. When Serena Williams was denied a table at a five-star restaurant in Paris, she was furious.
The talented tennis star expressed her disappointment on social media in a post that left much room for speculation and misinterpretation. Fortunately, the restaurant responded with an explanation in hopes of ending the scandal before it became something else.
Williams, an Olympic gold medalist herself, was in Paris with her husband and their kids for the 2024 Olympics. The retired tennis player teamed up with other legendary athletes as a torchbearer during the competition’s opening ceremony on July 26. However, the trip soon turned sour after a restaurant denied her family a table. Here’s what happened.
Serena Williams Slams Paris Peninsula
On Monday, August 5, Serena Williams lashed out at the Paris Peninsula for what transpired between staff and her family, including her kids, six-year-old Alexis Olympia and 11-month-old Adira River.
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Her tweet implied that the Peninsula Paris denied her and her kids access to eat on the rooftop even though she could clearly see empty seats. “Always a first,” she wrote on X.
Why Was Serena Williams Denied Access to the Restaurant?
Following Williams’ statement, the restaurant took to X to defend itself. The latter explained that the rooftop bar Serena Williams wanted to use had been fully booked, and the unoccupied tables she saw belonged to their gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was fully reserved.
They added, “We have always been honored to welcome you and will always be to welcome you again.” According to Maxime Mannevy, a staffer at the Peninsula’s rooftop restaurant L’Oiseau Blanc, who was away at the time of the incident, Williams was “unrecognizable” when she arrived. She was also in tow with another woman and a stroller.
Mannevy said that when she arrived, there were only two tables free, and the hotel’s clients had reserved them. Mannevy also confirmed that the staff member who attended to Williams did not recognize her but told her what he would have told any other person.
Who Is Serena Williams’ Husband?
Serena Williams is currently married to Alexis Ohanian, an American entrepreneur, investor, and former CEO of Reddit. The pair reportedly met in 2015 at a hotel in Rome, Italy. One year later, in December 2016, the entrepreneur popped the big question.
Serena Williams and her husband tied the knot on November 17, 2017, in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are proud parents of a daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. (born September 1, 2017).
How Old Is Serena Williams?
Serena Williams was born on September 26, 1981, making her 42 years old as of August 2024. At her age, she has put her name in the history books and is still doing great things despite retiring from tennis.
William started playing tennis at the age of 4 after her father, Richard Williams, introduced her to the sport. He became her and her sister Venus’ coach on the public courts in Compton, California. There, they honed their skills, and their greatness began.
By age 6, Serena Williams started competing in junior tournaments. When she was 10, her family moved to Florida so they could train at the Rick Macci Tennis Academy. By age 14, the tennis legend had gone pro and was competing in tournaments all over the world.
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Her early start and the training she received from her dedicated father gave her an edge in the world of sports. This ultimately resulted in 23 Grand Slam singles titles and a number of other achievements.
Serena Williams’ Net Worth
The retired tennis legend is reportedly worth $290 million as of 2024, plenty of which came from her successful tennis career and the endorsements it afforded her. After the Peninsula’s profuse apologies, many hope the retired athlete can forgive the incident and perhaps later re-visit the restaurant.
Users on X have also added a community note that states, “Serena Williams was not denied a table. The restaurant was fully booked, and she was advised that was the case.”
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