Williams sisters run up $33k hotel bill
Serena and Venus Williams ran up a $33,000 hotel bill during their short stay in Auckland earlier this month, surprising Tennis Auckland organisers who had to pick up the tab.
News of the bill came as Serena outplayed her older sister for the Australian Open women’s title late last night, her 23rd grand slam making her the most successful women’s player in professional tennis history.
In Melbourne, the sisters’ on-court success was a promoter’s dream. Their performances at the ASB Classic in Auckland, though, weren’t as riveting.
The Williams sisters and six of their team stayed at the SkyCity Grand Hotel. They had everything laid on including five luxury suites – starting at $579 pernight – and their own function room to relax in as a communal area.
It is understood they ordered most days from Al Brown’s Depot and Ostro, both finedining restaurants.
After receiving a six-figure sum just to turn up in Auckland, world No 2 Serena Williams bombed out in a shock early loss.
In her postmatch press conference Serena took aim at the tournament, saying she ‘‘abhorred’’ the windy conditions and could not leave quickly enough.
Venus pulled out with an arm injury after her second round win, meaning the Classic missed out on its two biggest drawcards before the quarter-finals.
ASB Classic tournament director Karl Budge said: ‘‘It sounds like a big bill to those reading off the cuff, but . . . it’s a pretty normal transaction for a group of eight people that were there for some up to a week and a half,’’ he said.
Despite Serena’s underwhelming performance, her damaging comments towards the tournament and hefty hotel bill, Budge said he would still like to have the sisters back next year.
‘‘I will 100 per cent look to get her back and have been doing exactly that. We had one of the biggest athletes on the planet come and play ... I don’t think any of us ever expected that would happen so it was an amazing occasion.‘‘