Venus Williams, 45, Announces Engagement to 37-Year-Old Actor Fiancé

Venus Williams Announces Engagement After Triumphant Tennis Return

Tennis legend Venus Williams, 45, made a stunning comeback at Washington D.C.’s Citi Open, winning her first singles match in 16 months—and revealing she’s engaged to actor Andrea Preti, 37. The emotional announcement followed her straight-sets victory over 22-year-old Peyton Stearns, marking a historic return after surgery to remove uterine fibroids last year.

[Image: Venus Williams waving to the crowd with a tennis racket; caption: Williams celebrated her victorious return at the CITI Open.]

Williams credited Preti, who watched from the stands, for motivating her during her grueling recovery. “My fiancé encouraged me to keep playing,” she told fans, sparking cheers. “There were times I wanted to quit. Tennis is like a 9-to-5 job, except you’re sprinting nonstop. He pushed me through this.” She jokingly added, “He’s never even seen me play before!”

Rumors of Williams’ engagement had swirled since February, when she was spotted wearing a diamond ring during practice in Italy. The couple, first linked after a 2023 Amalfi Coast vacation, kept their relationship private. Preti, born in Denmark and raised in Italy, has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

[Image: Williams and Preti smiling during a casual outing; caption: The couple kept their romance low-key before the engagement news.]

The victory marked Williams as the oldest WTA singles winner since Martina Navratilova’s 2004 Wimbledon run. Her comeback wasn’t just physical—it followed a health battle that doctors initially dismissed. “I had crazy bleeding and cramps, but they told me it was ‘normal,’” Williams shared with NBC News. “No one should suffer like that.” Surgery finally addressed the fibroids, giving her renewed perspective. “Health comes first. Now I play freer,” she said.

[Image: Williams mid-serve during her CITI Open match; caption: The tennis star dominated her opponent despite her 16-month hiatus.]

This resurgence contrasts with her 2022 admission to Glamour: “I’ve been single so long—it’s harder to change.” Now, with Preti’s support and improved health, Williams is thriving. She even triumphed in doubles earlier this week, emphasizing, “Last year, I was prepping for surgery. Today, I’m here playing.”

Next, Williams faces Poland’s Magdalena Frech, but her legacy is already cemented: seven Grand Slam titles, Olympic golds, and over $42 million in career earnings. As she balances sport and love, fans celebrate her resilience.

[Image: Williams holding her trophy with Preti cheering in the background; caption: The engaged couple shared the moment post-victory.]

Williams’ journey—from health struggles to historic wins and a surprise engagement—proves that even legends can rewrite their stories. “I’m praying for good health,” she said, smiling. For now, the tennis world is thrilled to see her back, racket in hand and love by her side.

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