After decades of being fiercely private about her love life, Venus Williams just served up an ace in the romance department — she’s officially engaged to actor and producer Andrea Preti.

The 44-year-old tennis legend made the heartfelt revelation during a post-match interview in Washington, D.C., in July 2025. With a smile and signature calm, Williams confirmed,

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My fiancé is here, and he really encouraged me to keep playing. He’s never seen me play.

It was a rare moment of public vulnerability from the 7-time Grand Slam champion, and it instantly captured the hearts of fans worldwide. While her on-court legacy is undeniable, it’s her off-court happiness that now has the spotlight.

Who is Andrea Preti?

Andrea Preti may not be a household name in America just yet, but in Europe — especially Italy — the 37-year-old actor is no stranger to screens and headlines.

Born in 1988 in Denmark, Preti spent most of his childhood there before relocating to Italy during his teenage years. In a touching Instagram post from May 2024, he shared snapshots from Copenhagen, writing, “No one can understand how much I missed you, Chris,” referring to his brother. He added, “Best time ever

Preti began his career as a fashion model, working for major European labels before transitioning to acting and production. He trained at the prestigious Susan Batson Academy in New York City, an institution known for shaping Hollywood talent.

He later wrote, directed, and starred in the 2014 indie film One More Day and appeared in the popular Italian drama series A Professor. More recently, he featured in the 2023 film Temptation and made waves as a contestant on the Italian reality show La Talpa.

A Romance Kept Quiet… Until Now

Williams and Preti were first spotted together in July 2024, cruising the stunning Amalfi Coast aboard a private boat in Nerano, Italy. Though neither confirmed their relationship at the time, the chemistry was clear.

Since then, the couple has kept a relatively low profile. In January 2025, Venus gave a rare glimpse into her personal life, sharing a cozy Instagram Story from the Bahamas, captioning a photo of the two of them, “the best company.”

The engagement rumors started swirling in February 2025, when eagle-eyed fans noticed a sparkling diamond ring on Williams’ finger during her visit to Rome. She further ignited speculation by wearing the same ring to the Dsquared2 Fall/Winter 2025 runway show during Milan Fashion Week.

But it wasn’t until July, after a match in Washington, that the tennis icon confirmed what fans had long suspected.

“He Encouraged Me to Keep Going”

During a post-match interview with fellow Grand Slam winner Rennae Stubbs, Williams opened up about how pivotal Preti has been during her latest career phase.

There were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill,” she said. “Do you know how hard it is to play tennis? He encouraged me to get through this, and it’s wonderful to be here.

This heartfelt tribute revealed just how deeply Preti had become woven into her journey — not just as a partner, but as a motivator, a confidant, and a constant.

A New Chapter for a Tennis Legend

Venus Williams has always stood apart. From her powerful serve to her sharp fashion sense and unshakable poise, she’s redefined what it means to be a champion on and off the court.

She’s long avoided the spotlight when it comes to romance, even as her sister, Serena Williams, celebrated a widely publicized marriage to tech mogul Alexis Ohanian.

Venus’ past relationships — including model Elio Pis in 2012 and financier Nicholas Hammond in 2017 — never reached the public confirmation level her current engagement has.

With Andrea Preti, it feels different. There’s ease, warmth, and — perhaps most importantly — shared encouragement in their story.

Fans and Celebrities React

As news of the engagement spread across social media, fans and celebrities were quick to offer congratulations. Billie Jean King posted on X (formerly Twitter):

So thrilled for Venus. A champion in love and in life. Congratulations to the happy couple!

Fashion designer Virgil Abloh’s team reposted old photos of Williams in Off-White, hinting that perhaps Venus’s wedding dress could also make fashion history.