Venus Williams, one of the most distinguished athletes of her generation, has stepped into a new personal milestone by confirming her engagement to her partner Andrea Preti. The 45-year-old American tennis legend, renowned for her seven Grand Slam titles and trailblazing influence both on and off the court, made the announcement on 2 December through a collection of photographs shared on her social-media account. The images featured a glowing Williams alongside Preti, a 37-year-old Italian-Danish actor, model and producer.
The couple’s relationship first became the subject of public conversation in mid-2024, when photographs of the pair surfaced from a leisurely boat trip along Italy’s picturesque Amalfi Coast. The glimpse, captured by a paparazzo, gave rise to speculation that Williams had found love after a period in which she had largely kept her private affairs away from the public eye. Their chemistry appeared effortless, but neither Williams nor Preti offered any comment, allowing the rumour mill to turn without confirmation.
The whispers grew louder in February 2025 when Williams was spotted in Rome sporting a brilliant diamond ring on her left hand. Fans, journalists and tennis watchers took the sighting as a sign that she might be quietly engaged. Despite this growing speculation, the couple maintained complete silence, giving nothing away.
The first true acknowledgment arrived months later, on 22 July, following one of Williams’s victories in a tournament. During her post-match interview, she casually referred to Preti as her “fiancé”, adding that his support had played a crucial role in motivating her to continue competing. It was a rare moment of openness, yet the couple still avoided further public discussion until Williams chose to make their engagement official with photographs in December.
This engagement marks a meaningful new chapter for Williams, whose personal life has attracted occasional attention over the years but has never before included a confirmed engagement. She previously dated golfer Hank Kuehne from 2007 to 2010, followed by a long relationship with Cuban model Elio Pis beginning in 2012. Williams and Pis worked closely together on relaunching her fashion label, “EleVen”, blending creativity with their romantic partnership until their relationship reportedly ended around 2015. In 2017, she entered a relationship with businessman Nicholas Hammond; the pair lived together for a period of two years, though it remains unclear whether marriage was ever considered. There were further rumours in 2021 linking Williams with another tennis professional, but these reports remained unverified.
Williams herself spoke openly in a 2022 interview about enjoying single life. She expressed that she felt no societal pressure to be in a relationship and had learned to appreciate the freedom and clarity that independence offered. Nevertheless, she said that if life were to bring her the right person, she would welcome shared companionship. It now appears that Andrea Preti is that person—someone with whom she feels confident enough to share photographs publicly for the first time in her romantic history.
Meanwhile, Serena Williams, Venus’s younger sister and one of the most iconic athletes in her own right, has taken on the role of organiser for the forthcoming wedding. Reports suggest Serena is deeply involved in planning the ceremony, focusing on everything from themes and décor to bridal attire, ensuring her sister’s celebration is both elegant and personal. The wedding is expected to take place in January, with Italy—already an emotional backdrop for much of their love story—emerging as the likely venue.
Since the announcement, the couple has been flooded with congratulatory messages from supporters, fellow athletes and public personalities. Many fans have expressed joy not only at the engagement itself but at seeing Williams so visibly happy and at ease during this stage of her life.
For Venus Williams, who has built a career on resilience, grace, ambition and reinvention, this engagement is more than a romantic milestone. It reflects a moment of personal fulfilment, marking the beginning of a shared future with someone who has stood beside her quietly, respectfully and supportively. As she embarks on this new journey, the global tennis community celebrates with her, hopeful for the happiness that lies ahead.