Staff at a Paris restaurant that was reportedly “denied entry” to Serena Williams said one of their colleagues “didn’t recognise” the US tennis legend.
Williams sparked a heated argument when she wrote to X that she was denied entry to the restaurant at The Peninsula Paris.
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August 4, 2024: Paris, France. Serena Williams watches the men’s singles gold medal match with IOC President Thomas Bach during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Roland Garros. (Amber Shields – USA Today Sports)
“@peninsulaparis, I’ve been denied entry before to eat on the rooftop of a vacant restaurant in a nicer location but I’ve never been with my kids. It’s always the first time,” Williams wrote to X.
Maxime Manevi, who works at the rooftop restaurant at The Peninsula, He told Variety magazine Williams was in a stroller with another woman and appeared to “not recognize her,” and Maneby said she was not working when the tennis great arrived at the restaurant.
“When she arrived there were only two tables available and they were reserved by clients of the hotel,” Maneby told the outlet. “My colleague didn’t recognise her and was devastated, but told her what any other client would have said – to wait in the bar downstairs until a table became available. There was nothing personal against her.”
Flushing, New York, September 7, 2019: Serena Williams of the United States plays against Bianca Andreescu of Canada during the women’s final on day 13 of the 2019 US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. (Robert Deutsch – USA Today Sports)
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The Paris Peninsula responded to Williams’ criticism of X.
“We deeply apologize for the inconvenience caused to our guests this evening,” the hotel wrote to X. “Unfortunately, our rooftop bar was fully booked and the only tables available were in our gourmet restaurant, L’Oiseau Blanc, which was also fully booked.”
“We have always had the honor of hosting you and will continue to welcome you.”
July 11, 2024: Los Angeles, California. Former tennis star Serena Williams arrives on the red carpet before hosting the 2024 ESPYS at the Dolby Theatre. (Kiyoshi Mio – USA Today Sports)
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Williams was in Paris to watch the Olympics.
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