The tennis legend, 45, revealed her engagement during an emotional post-match interview following her triumphant return to the court
Venus Williams had two major reasons to celebrate this week. Not only did the tennis icon make a triumphant return to competitive play after a year-long hiatus, but she also confirmed her engagement to actor Andrea Preti, 37, during a heartfelt post-match interview.
A Winning Announcement
Fresh off the court Tuesday, Williams was visibly emotional when interviewer Rennae Stubbs congratulated her on the engagement. “My fiancé encouraged me to keep playing,” revealed the seven-time Grand Slam champion. *”There were so many times I wanted to quit. Do you know how hard it is to play tennis? It’s a 9-to-5 job where you’re running the whole time!”*
The couple, who first sparked romance rumors in July 2024 during a boat trip in Italy, had kept their relationship private until Preti popped the question. Williams was first spotted wearing an engagement ring in February, but remained tight-lipped until now.
From “Not Desperate” to Engaged
The news marks a sweet reversal for Williams, who told Cosmopolitan in 2021: “I’m not desperate to settle down. People say, ‘You’ll miss your window,’ but I don’t feel that way.” By 2022, her perspective shifted, telling Glamour UK: “It’s easy to get stuck in single life. When life changes, you’ve got to know when to change too