Venus Williams Says 'Yes' To Andrea Preti

Tennis legend Venus Williams is dishing out more than aces this summer. She's serving some love, too. In an unexpected announcement marked by triumph and romance, the 45-year-old legend revealed that she was engaged to Italian actor and model Andrea Preti following her breathtaking victory at the Mubadala Citi DC Open. She had lost five straight singles matches dating back to 2023, a rate of personal success that her personal life is currently matching.

After securing her victory and her comeback, Williams took center court not as a victor but as an engaged woman. Interviewer and former doubles partner Rennae Stubbs drew the tender admission from her, asking if Preti was involved in her most recent achievement. Venus grinned as she said, "Yes, my fiancé is over there. And he really encouraged me to keep playing."

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Regardless, it was that gentle push that was instrumental in her decision to continue to compete in the world of professional tennis. Not Venus, who has a well-deserved reputation for her killer instinct and hardcore work ethic, said there were times when she thought about giving up. "There were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill," she said, driving home how unforgiving the sport can still be even after decades of dominance. "Do you know how hard it is to play tennis?" she quipped, drawing laughter. "It's nine to five except you're running the whole time. Lifting weights and just like dying and then you repeat it the next day."

But Preti, whom almost no one saw coming, has been quietly cheering her on behind the scenes and has seemingly brought a spark back to Wozniacki on and off the court. The two have a love story, and it's very easy to imagine the strong, serene young woman around whom it's taking shape. Wearing a ring on her finger and with renewed fire in her game, Venus Williams is not just playing for titles, but for joy. And this time, love is really in the air.