Serena Williams reflected on her ultimate thrilling-seeking boat ride during the official opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, terming the experience as "unforgettable."
Serena is a decorated tennis player and also an Olympian. The 23-time Grand Slam champion is the proud holder of four Olympic gold medals (three in doubles and one in singles).
When she arrived in Paris this week accompanied by her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and seven-year-old daughter Olympia, it was apparent she had a role to play in Friday's opening celebrations.
The tennis fashion icon was dressed for the occasion when she posed for the cameras in an all-red form-fitting dress with a square neckline. Williams complemented her glamorous dress with her hair, styled in striking blonde curls, and pointed-toe heels.
In one photo she shared on X, she carried a red handbag while standing in front of the Eiffel Tower. Williams also updated her 1.8 million followers on TikTok about the moment she stepped onto a rocking boat.
The 42-year-old was one of four athletes (active and retired) who were bestowed with the honor of carrying the Olympic flame across the Seine River to light up the cauldron, as is tradition.
A nervous-looking Williams was in the company of 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal (also a two-time Olympic gold medalist), nine-time Olympic champion Carl Lewis, and five-time Olympic gold medalist (all in individual events) Nadia Comăneci of Romania.
She referred to the opening extravaganza as an "amazing ceremony" and was clearly shaken but thrilled about riding in a boat and wearing a life jacket.
"Have you ever had an unforgettable moment? That was yesterday for me. Truly unforgettable. From being part of an amazing Open Ceremony at the Paris Olympics-to riding in the boat in the rain-and it was pouring! So much so my lashes came right on off. Unforgettable!"
From the videos doing the circles on social media, Williams was far from comfortable with the unpleasant cruise on the Seine and momentarily lost her balance as she tried to hold the flame in one hand.
One fan wrote on X, "Fave part of the ceremony has gotta be Carl Lewis, Serena Williams et al on the boat, with life jackets on, getting soaked and not knowing what the heck was going on!"
The trip was successful, and Williams, together with the other three athletes, made it to the land to pass the flame that was to light the cauldron.
Thereafter, the former WTA World No. 1 took to TikTok to refer to the evening as a "wrap," and for a moment, she thought she was in a "wet t-shirt contest" after she dripped in rainwater that her eyelashes came off.
"Alright that’s a wrap on everything. It’s been a heck of a night. I was in the boat and it was pouring rain, my lashes came off, my hair came down. It’s a miracle I’m still put together. I thought for a minute I was in a wet t-shirt contest but I was at the Olympics."
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