Venus Williams has never shied away from honesty, but her recent interview offered one of her most personal reflections yet. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion revealed how her now-husband, Italian-Danish actor and filmmaker Andrea Preti, stood beside her during a physically and emotionally draining period defined by serious health challenges.
Andrea Preti Stood by Venus Williams During Health Struggle Just a Month Into Dating
In a Vogue interview, Williams explained that the relationship deepened rapidly because of circumstances neither of them could have predicted. She shared that she had been battling debilitating pelvic pain, heavy bleeding, and anemia for years, eventually learning she had both uterine fibroids and adenomyoma, a form of adenomyosis in which uterine tissue grows into the uterine wall.
The condition affected her daily life and her career, and for a long time, she struggled to find clear answers. She recalled feeling overwhelmed after consulting multiple doctors without a definitive treatment plan. When she opened up to Preti early in their relationship, he did not hesitate to help. “It was so early in our relationship, but we were going through a lot, and he supported me,” she said.
According to Williams, he immediately stepped in, offering to connect her with a doctor he trusted in Italy. She traveled there for surgery not long after they met, calling the timing intense and surreal. “I had surgery a month after Andrea and I met. It was crazy, but that’s how we met.”
Williams also noted that she had previously frozen her eggs, a decision that gave her peace of mind as she focused on her recovery. She credited Preti’s support during that vulnerable moment as a defining part of how their bond formed.
How Did Williams and Preti’s Love Story Progress From Dating to Marriage?
Williams and Preti’s relationship first drew attention in July 2024, when they were spotted vacationing along Italy’s Amalfi Coast. At the time, Williams was largely private about her personal life, making the sightings especially intriguing to fans. She confirmed the relationship publicly in early 2025 with an Instagram post from a winter getaway in the Bahamas.
Their red carpet debut at Milan Fashion Week followed, where an affectionate moment between the two hinted at how serious the relationship had become. Engagement rumors intensified later that year after Williams was seen wearing a ring during a training session in Rome, fueling speculation long before she addressed it herself.
Williams confirmed their engagement in July during a post-match interview with Rennae Stubbs and later shared that they had actually been engaged since Jan. 31, 2025. Reports later suggested that they had privately exchanged vows on the island of Ischia. That detail gained traction after a group photo surfaced showing Williams and Preti with Serena Williams and her daughter, Olympia, during a family gathering.
On Dec. 23, Vogue Weddings confirmed that Williams and Preti are officially husband and wife, sharing candid images on Instagram. The photos captured moments from a five-day celebration spanning the United States and Italy, with events in Ischia and Palm Beach, Florida.
The festivities included a bridal shower, a yacht gathering, and an intimate dinner at Sopra, with images showing the couple kissing during the ceremony, embracing by the sea, and Serena delivering a speech that underscored the family-centered nature of the celebration.
