Serena Williams Calls Out Parisian Restaurant for Denying Her and Her Kids Access

One Paris restaurant did not invite Serena Williams to be their guest.

The 42-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) to call out The Peninsula Paris for allegedly denying her and her kids—Olympia Ohanian, 6, and Adira Ohanian, 12 months—access to dine while she was in France for the 2024 Olympic games.

“Yikes @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to rooftop to eat in a empty restaurant of nicer places but never with my kids,” the tennis pro wrote, sharing a photo of the sign for the luxury hotel. “Always a first. #Olympic2024.”

A rep for The Peninsula Paris released a statement to E! News in response to Serena’s claims noting the company has “the utmost admiration and respect” for the Olympian.

“We can only reiterate our deepest apologies for her perception of tonight’s situation,” the statement read. “Today, August 5th, our rooftop bar was indeed fully booked, and the only unoccupied tables at that time belonged to our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was also fully reserved tonight.”

The hotel added that Serena and her family have always been “more than welcome” at the establishment.

Serena and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, have been taking in a variety of the Olympic games over the past few weeks, occasionally bringing their daughter Olympia to partake in the fun.

The professional athlete has taken home four Olympic gold medals of her own and even got the honor of riding on the rain-soaked boats in this year’s opening ceremony on the Seine River.

Prior to the hotel incident, Serena celebrated being in Paris on Instagram, writing, “Soooo excited to be at the Opening Ceremony and in my favorite city…Paris! #Paris2024.”

Serena has been particularly invested in cheering on the Team USA women’s gymnasts Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey and Hezly Rivera, previously telling the team, “I am loving every minute of watching you be GREAT.”

For more from the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, read on. 

The Eiffel Tower and Opening Ceremony stands are illuminated with color in honor of the French flag.

The Olympic Cauldron takes flight after being lit at the 2024 Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Céline Dion closes out the show with a powerful performance atop the Eiffel Tower.

The singer beautifully belted out "Hymne A L'Amour" during her return to the stage.

Serena Williams, Carl Lewis, Nadia Comaneci and Rafael Nadal light up the night with the Olympic torch.

French soccer star Zinedine Zidane passes the Olympic torch to Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal.

The Eiffel Tower lights up the night.

Athletes from around the world gather in front of the Eiffel Tower for Opening Ceremony.

The mystery horse rider carries the Olympic flag to the Place du Trocadero.

The Parade of Nations travel along the Seine river.

Flags from countries competing in the Olympics fly high.

Pianist Sofiane Pamart and singer Juliette Armanet perform "Imagine" from a float on the Seine.

The Refugee Olympic Team—which is made up of 37 athletes representing millions worldwide who have been forcibly displaced—share a loving message.

Musicians at the Opening Ceremony keep dry in their rain ponchos.

The Olympic flag is carried down the Seine on a galloping metal horse.

Team Australia is all-smiles as their boat passes by the Eiffel Tower.

The masked torchbearer runs along the Musee d'Orsay during the Opening Ceremony.

Despite the wet weather, Team Spain marches forward to the Place du Trocadero.

Team Italy's flag bearers Arianna Errigo and Gianmarco Tamberi snap a selfie together.

The Eiffel Tower is decorated with the Olympic rings.

Swedish athletes greet the crowd during the Parade of Nations.

Team Liberia captures all the sights and sounds from their boat.

The Eiffel Tower awaits the arrival of the world's athletes.

Jordan's Rama Abo-Alrub and Saleh Elsharabaty bear their country's flag together. 

The Bahamian flag waves atop the country's boat on the Seine river. 

Switzerland is ready to bring the heat to this summer's Games. 

Team USA makes their debut on the Seine. 

But that didn't stop these rooftop dancers from turning out a spectacular performance. 

Yet the Cabo Verde Olympic team didn't let it dim their joy. 

Reproductions of some of the most famous paintings from Paris' Louvre Museum decorate the River Seine. 

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