The romantic secret is finally out. Venus Williams officially confirmed her engagement to Andrea Preti following her triumphant return to the tennis court at last month’s 2025 Citi DC Open. The former World No. 1 recently flaunted her stunning diamond engagement ring amid swirling rumors of a September wedding that has tennis fans buzzing with excitement.
How Did Venus Williams and Andrea Preti’s Romance Begin?
Williams and Preti began dating approximately a year ago, making their first public appearance together in July 2024. Preti is an actor who was born in Denmark and moved to Italy with his family during his teenage years.
According to a recent report by NewsNation, Williams, who has been engaged to Preti for nearly a year, is set to marry on the picturesque Amalfi Coast in Italy this September.
In the midst of wedding speculation, Preti shared a delightful image on social media featuring him and Williams holding hands against a beautiful beach backdrop. In the photo, the former World No. 1 can be seen displaying her engagement ring, sparking even more excitement about their upcoming nuptials.
What Role Did Preti Play in Williams’ Tennis Comeback?
On the tennis side of things, Williams made her much-anticipated return to the sport after a 16-month hiatus at the 2025 Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. She accepted a wild card invitation into the tournament and began her campaign with a victory over compatriot Peyton Stearns in the first round, winning 6-3, 6-4.
However, the seven-time Grand Slam champion’s run came to an end in the second round when she faced Magdalena Fręch and lost 2-6, 2-6.
After securing her first-round victory at the 2025 Citi DC Open, Williams revealed that her fiancé, Preti, played a crucial role in motivating her to continue competing and pursue a comeback.
“My fiancé is here, and he really encouraged me to keep playing. There were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill. Do you know how hard it is to play tennis?” Williams said.
Venus and her boyfriend in the Bahamas 🏝️ pic.twitter.com/nMqTezLTHx
— Serena’s snatched wig (@Danidilo2) January 16, 2025
Williams shared that before her campaign in Washington, D.C., Preti had never witnessed her play at a professional level. This made his encouragement even more meaningful, coming from someone who understood the personal sacrifice without necessarily grasping the athletic demands.
“You guys don’t know how much work goes into this, like it’s 9 to 5 except you’re running the whole time. Lifting weights and just like dying and then you repeat it the next day. So he encouraged me to get through this and it’s wonderful to be here. He’s never seen me play,” she added.
Looking ahead, Williams will compete at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, which will take place from August 7 to August 18, 2025, at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
