Venus Williams Announces Engagement to Younger Partner Andrea Preti

Seven-time Grand Slam champion, fashion designer and entrepreneur Venus Williams has officially confirmed her engagement to Italian-Danish actor and producer Andrea Preti, who is eight years her junior. The 45-year-old American tennis icon shared a series of intimate photographs on her social-media account on 2 December, putting an end to months of speculation regarding her relationship status.

Rumours surrounding the couple first surfaced in July 2024, when the pair were spotted together during a boating trip along Italy’s Amalfi Coast. The photographs, taken discreetly by a paparazzo, prompted widespread discussion about whether Williams had entered a new relationship after several years of maintaining a largely private personal life. Matters intensified in February 2025 when Williams was seen in Rome wearing a striking diamond ring on her left hand, sparking immediate conjecture about a possible engagement. Neither Williams nor Preti chose to address the rumours at the time.

The speculation finally came to rest on 22 July, during a post-match interview following Williams’s victory in a tournament. Beaming with pride, she casually remarked, “My fiancé is here with me today. He’s the one who inspires me to keep playing.” It was the first direct acknowledgement of their relationship, though the couple refrained from offering further details. The formal confirmation arrived several months later through Williams’s own public post, accompanied by beaming photographs of the couple.

This marks the first time Williams has shared images of a romantic partner on social media, a significant gesture given her long-held commitment to privacy. Over the years, Williams has been linked to several partners, including golfer Hank Kuehne between 2007 and 2010, and Cuban model Elio Pis in 2012. Williams and Pis collaborated on revamping her fashion line, “EleVen”, and their relationship is believed to have lasted until around 2015. She later dated businessman Nicholas Hammond from 2017, with whom she reportedly shared a home for two years. There were also whispers of a romance with a fellow tennis player in 2021, though neither party confirmed or denied the connection.

Williams has previously spoken openly about embracing a single life. In a 2022 interview, she explained that she felt no pressure to enter a relationship, adding that she found beauty in solitude but would welcome love if the right person came along. It appears, however, that she has now found precisely that in Preti. Friends and fans alike have noted the joy evident in her recent public appearances, suggesting that this relationship may have brought a renewed sense of balance and happiness.

Meanwhile, Williams’s younger sister, the legendary Serena Williams, has reportedly taken charge of event management for the upcoming wedding. From bridal styling and attire to venue décor and party planning, Serena is said to be heavily involved in ensuring that her sister’s special day is executed flawlessly. According to close sources, the wedding is expected to take place in January, with Italy being considered as a likely location, continuing the couple’s affinity for romantic Italian settings.

Since the announcement, an outpouring of congratulations has flooded online platforms, with fans and fellow athletes extending warm wishes to the newly engaged couple. For Venus Williams—whose career has been marked by resilience, grace and reinvention—this engagement marks a new chapter, offering a blend of love, companionship and optimism for the future.