Paris Olympics 24: Paris hotel denies wrongdoing against Serena Williams

A ritzy Paris hotel blasted by Serena Williams has hit back at the tennis legend after its public shaming on social media.

Serena Williams attends the volleyball men's quarter-final match between USA and Brazil during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena 1. Picture: AFP

The luxury Paris hotel named and shamed by tennis legend Serena Williams has hit back at her claims.

Williams, who was part of the Olympics opening ceremony, slammed The Peninsula Paris for denying her access to their rooftop.

She publicly blasted the ritzy hotel and vented her frustrations with a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“Yikes,” Williams wrote. “@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.”

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. 🙄#Olympic2024pic.twitter.com/lEGJR5WoEn

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) August 5, 2024

Williams also made sure to include a picture of the building’s sign to ensure there was no confusion over which hotel she was referring to.

The Peninsula Paris replied to her post on X and apologised but clarified that it did nothing wrong.

“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.”

When approached about the situation The Peninsula Paris said they were investigating the incident and would come back with a response.

Fans of the 23 time Grand Slam winner ripped into the venue for rejecting her, with one saying: “Who doesn’t make room for a queen?”

Serena Williams attends the volleyball men's quarter-final match between USA and Brazil during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena 1. Picture: AFP

One night at The Peninsula Paris starts at $4700 Australian dollars a night.

Williams has been out and about, spotted in the stands watching Simone Biles at the gymnastics, Novak Djokovic win tennis gold at Roland Garros and the volleyball on Monday.

She was part of the Olympic torch-lighting hand-off with Rafael Nadal, Carl Lewis and Nadia Comaneci.

Originally published as Paris Olympics 24: Paris hotel denies wrongdoing against Serena Williams