Serena Williams fans defend her after white critics call her ‘privileged’ and demand an apology at Paris restaurant

Serena Williams’ recent trip to Paris made headlines world wide for a number of reasons. For example, the skilled tennis legend got the web talking by accusing a restaurant of treating her unfairly.

“Oh my @peninsulaparis I’ve been denied access to (a) rooftop to eat at (a) empty restaurant in better places but never with my kids. Always a first. #Olympic2024,” Serena Williams wrote on Twitter on August 5.

However, The Peninsula Paris claims that the mother-of-two and her family weren’t blocked from entering the L’Oiseau Blanc restaurant. The luxury hotel issued a press release in regards to the situation, claiming that “they were fully booked and the only free tables you saw were in our gourmet restaurant.”

Not only did the tennis icon receive a response from The Peninsula Paris, but the previous world primary player also needed to take care of backlash from social media users dissatisfied with her behaviour.

Many felt the Compton native “felt entitled” to her celebrity status as one in every of the best female athletes of all time.

“WOW! I was a fan of yours as a tennis player because you are the GOAT. Back when you were the Original Serena I wanted to work out with you and Venus. As you grew and became a beast in tennis your vibe changed,” someone wrote within the comments section Williams’ August 8 post on Instagram, which has nothing to do with the case.

The commentator continued, “You had an unpleasant aura about you. And it was proven when you disgraced a restaurant in Paris because they wouldn’t seat you because you didn’t have a reservation and they were busy. It’s a sense of superiority and shows that you’ve forgotten where you came from; Compton! Looking at you now and the old Serena, you’ve become someone else.”

Another person on Instagram criticized Williams, writing: “I am very disappointed that you have not yet apologized for disgracing the restaurant when it was fully booked.” Another Instagram user wrote: “Please apologize for disgracing the French restaurant, such a sense of superiority does not befit someone as wonderful as you.”

Fans responded to Williams’ post, which showed her wearing a blonde wig and makeup while talking in regards to the giveaway to learn her beauty brand WYN.

A European restaurant worker claimed the accident was attributable to Williams’ “unrecognizable” appearance. report by Variety.

“When she came in, there were only two tables available, which had been reserved by hotel guests,” Maxine Mannevy explained, although she didn’t take care of Williams’ family. “My colleague didn’t recognize her and felt terrible, but he told her what he would tell any other customer, which was to wait downstairs at the bar until a table became available. It was absolutely nothing personal.”

Critics expressed the identical sentiment after recent photos of Williams were zoomed in on, with one person saying: “Man, whatever you’re doing to your face, please stop.”

Two other people said, “She can’t move her face or open her eyes” and “I can’t believe you ruined your face and skin tone like that.”

For years, the talented athlete has been criticized and ridiculed online for her appearance, from her hair, face and body shape.

In her defense, someone said, “Serena is happy with her appearance, why are so many people turned on by that. How does that even affect your life?”

Serena Williams is attending the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, and their 6-year-old daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. Their soon-to-be 1-year-old daughter Adira just isn’t seen.

Last month, a Eurosport commentator called Alexis Ohanian his famous wife’s “umbrella man” because the couple walked the red carpet at the Olympics opening ceremony, a gaffe that went viral.

“She looks absolutely incredible. She has someone right behind us holding the umbrella,” Laura Woods said of Serena Williams on live television. “Those are the levels you strive for. To have a real umbrella holder behind you.”

Ohanian responded to the error with a humorous response. His Instagram signature read“Olympia. Serena. Serena’s personal umbrella. Let the games begin! I’ll be watching a lot of T&F to get inspired by @athlos.”

Serena Williams, 42, and Alexis Ohanian, 41, tied the knot on November 16, 2017, in New Orleans. Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. was born in September 2017. Williams gave birth to her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, in August 2023.