Venus Williams is officially engaged. The tennis legend confirmed her engagement to actor Andrea Preti following her victory at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C., marking her first singles win in over a year. After the match, Rennae Stubbs referred to her as a “newly engaged woman,” prompting Williams to smile and acknowledge the crowd’s applause.

Public Confirmation After Victory

Williams confirmed her fiancé was in attendance, saying, “Yes, my fiancé is here,” before sharing how his support played a vital role in her recent comeback. She credited Preti with motivating her to keep going when she felt like stepping back from the sport. “There were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill,” she said, explaining that the mental and physical toll of the game is far greater than most people realize.

A Grueling Return to Form

Detailing the demands of professional tennis, Williams described her training as a full-time grind. “It’s a nine to five except you’re running the whole time. Lifting weights and just like dying, and then you repeat it the next time,” she explained. Her determination paid off as she defeated Peyton Stearns with a 6-3, 6-4 score, becoming the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match.

Relationship Timeline with Preti

Venus Williams with Italian fiancé, Andrea Preti.

Williams and Preti were first linked romantically in July 2024 after being spotted together in Nerano, Italy. Despite maintaining a low profile, speculation intensified in February when photos obtained by People showed Williams wearing a diamond ring during a practice session. The couple also made a public appearance at Milan Fashion Week where Williams was again seen with the ring on her left hand.

Speaking Out About Health Struggles

Williams’ return to the spotlight comes after she opened up about ongoing health challenges. In an interview with NBC’s Zinhle Essamuah on Today, she discussed her experience with fibroids, a condition involving benign tumors in the uterus that can cause extreme pain. Williams shared how the condition disrupted her training and everyday life, sometimes leaving her unable to stand or practice.

Becoming Her Own Health Advocate

Initially believing her symptoms stemmed from her Sjögren’s syndrome diagnosis, Williams later discovered the fibroids after researching online and consulting a specialist at NYU Langone Health’s Center for Fibroid Care. She underwent a myomectomy to remove the growths and is now advocating for others to take control of their health. “You can be denied the best health care no matter who you are,” she said. “And that you have to be your own advocate.” She hopes her story encourages others to seek help and not settle for being overlooked.