Retired tennis champion Serena Williams took to social media to express her disappointment at the Peninsula Paris hotel for allegedly denying her access to their rooftop restaurant along with her children. Williams, who recently served as a torch bearer at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics 2024, shared her experience at the hotel on Twitter, raising concerns about the treatment she received.

In her tweet, Williams wrote, "Yikes @peninsulaparis I've been denied access to rooftop to eat in an empty restaurant of nicer places... but never with my kids. Always a first." The tennis star also included the hashtag for the Olympics, perhaps indicating her frustration at encountering such an incident during her time in Paris for the Games.

According to Maxime Mannevy, a staffer at the Peninsula's rooftop restaurant, Williams arrived with another woman and a stroller and appeared "unrecognizable" to the staff. Mannevy clarified that when Williams arrived, the only available tables were already reserved by hotel guests. The staff member suggested that Williams wait in the bar area until a table became available, a procedure that would have been followed for any other customer.

It is important to note that representatives for Williams were not immediately available for comment, leaving her side of the story undisclosed. The details surrounding the denial of access, such as the reason behind it, remain unclear at this time.

Williams, who retired from professional tennis after the 2022 U.S. Open, arrived in Paris ahead of the Olympic opening ceremony, where she proudly served as a torch bearer. Throughout the Games, she has been enjoying various tennis matches, including Novak Djokovic's victorious performance in the men's singles tournament.

Over the course of her illustrious career, Williams has won four Olympic gold medals. In 2012, she clinched the gold in women's singles, while the other three gold medals were earned in women's doubles, where she partnered with her sister, Venus Williams, to claim victory in Sydney 2000, Beijing 2008, and London 2012.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen if the Peninsula Paris hotel will address Serena Williams' concerns and provide further clarity regarding the alleged denial of access. The incident has shed light on the ongoing discussions surrounding inclusivity and fair treatment in luxurious establishments, particularly when it comes to accommodating families with children.