Venus Williams opened up about one of the most challenging periods of her life, revealing how her fiancé Andrea Preti provided crucial support during a health crisis that nearly derailed her tennis career. The seven-time Grand Slam champion had been misdiagnosed for years, suffering through symptoms that went untreated and ultimately affected her ability to compete at the highest level.
How Did Andrea Preti Help Venus Williams Through Her Life-Changing Surgery?
Williams recently shared intimate details about her journey through a major surgical procedure, crediting Preti with encouraging her to make the difficult decision when fear nearly held her back. In a candid social media post marking the one-year anniversary of her surgery, Williams revealed she underwent an open myomectomy to remove fibroids and a large focal adenomyoma embedded in her uterus muscle.
“On this day 1 year ago I was having surgery, an open myomectomy to remove fibroids and a large focal adenomyoma that was imbedded in the muscle of my uterus,” Williams wrote. “What a difference a year makes! This post is in celebration of the last day of fibroid awareness month. There can be happy endings!”
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The former World No. 1 shared the devastating impact years of misdiagnosis had on both her health and career. She revealed that doctors had initially told her the condition was inoperable, leaving her to deal with untreated symptoms that severely affected her tennis performance.
“I was told I was inoperable. I was misdiagnosed. I went untreated for years. It’s so important to advocate for your health! It affected my tennis and the trajectory of my career. I told my story so other women don’t have to go through this and so they can get better sooner. I play tennis now because I can play healthier than ever, it is a dream come true,” she added.
What Role Did Andrea Preti Play During Williams’ Recovery?
Williams posted a touching photo of Preti sitting beside her hospital bed, highlighting his emotional support during the scariest moments of her medical journey. The Danish-born actor, who moved to Italy during his teenage years, became Williams’ pillar of strength when she hesitated about undergoing the procedure.
“Thanks for encouraging me when when I was afraid to make the right decision and get this life changing surgery @andreapreti88,” Williams captioned her Instagram story.
Beyond Preti’s support, Williams also expressed gratitude to her sister, Isha Price, who provided care during recovery. The tennis champion acknowledged the family support system that helped her through the challenging period.
“@ladyisha01 always taking care of her little sisters! @serenawilliams @lyndrea_imani,” she added.
How Has Williams’s tennis Career Changed Since the Surgery?
The surgery marked a turning point for Williams, who described being able to play tennis healthier than ever before. Her return to competitive tennis demonstrated the dramatic improvement in her physical condition, allowing her to compete without the burden of untreated health issues.
Williams made her post-surgery comeback at the 2025 Citi DC Open, where she also announced her engagement to Preti. The tournament held special significance as both a professional return and personal milestone, with Williams securing a first-round victory against Peyton Stearns before falling to Magdalena Fręch in the second round.
The couple’s relationship began a year ago, with their first public appearance in July 2024. Williams confirmed their engagement during the tournament, adding another layer of joy to her successful return to competitive tennis.
Looking ahead, Williams will compete at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, which will take place from Aug. 5 to Aug. 18, 2025, at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio. She has been granted a wild card entry into the tournament’s main draw, giving her another opportunity to compete at the highest level with her restored health.
