Venus Williams has finally confirmed that she indeed is engaged to actor-producer Andrea Preti. After winning her first singles match since the 2023 Cincinnati Open, Williams revealed how Preti had been encouraging her to pick up the racket.
Williams has made her return to tennis after a 16-month hiatus. She played the doubles first round match at the Citi Open along with compatriot Hailey Baptiste to officially make her tennis comeback since the 2024 Miami Open, where she suffered a first-round exit, losing in straight sets to compatriot Diana Shnaider.
The pair knocked out Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue to schedule a second-round clash with second seeds Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai. In singles, Williams kick-started her campaign against countrywoman Peyton Stearns, whom she eliminated with a 6-3, 6-4 scoreline. Following the match, Serena Williams‘ former coach Rennae Stubbs asked the “engaged woman” during the on-court interview how Preti helped her in making the comeback.
Yes, my fiancé is here, and he really encouraged me to keep playing, and there were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill (laughs). Do you know how hard it is to play tennis?
The dating rumors started when they were spotted boating in Nerano, Italy, in July last year. There were also pictures of Williams wearing a ring.
You guys don’t know how much work goes into this. Like it’s nine to five except that you’re running the whole time, lifting weights, and just like dying, and 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 so…you know (laughs).
Venus Williams added
Venus Williams reveals what she plans to do next after the Citi Open
Venus Williams has become the oldest woman after the then 47-year-old Martina Navratilova at the 2004 Wimbledon to win a main draw match. In the second round, she will lock horns with Polish player Magdalena Frech, who knocked out Yuliia Starodubtseva.
If she reaches the quarterfinals, she could meet 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who will play her first match on July 23 against Victoria Mboko. In the semifinals, the five-time Wimbledon singles champion is projected to lock horns with two-time Citi Open champion Jessica Pegula, who will kick-start her campaign against Leylah Fernandez.
After Citi Open, what’s next for the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion? Williams, during the pre-tournament press conference, said she has not given a thought about her next tournament.
I’m just here for now. And who knows, maybe there’s more. Like I said, I hold my cards close, but at the moment, I’m focused on this. And I haven’t played in a year. There’s no doubt I can play tennis, but obviously, coming back to play matches, it takes me to get in the swing of things.
Venus Williams said
Williams, however, will be playing the US Open, at least the mixed doubles, along with compatriot Reilly Opelka. In the US Open singles, Williams is a two-time winner, lifting the titles in 2000 and 2001.
The last title Williams lifted was the 2016 Taiwan Open, and since then, she has made it to four finals, losing all. She last reached a final at the 2017 WTA Finals. The last time Williams won a Major was at the 2008 Wimbledon by beating 23-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams. In 2017, Williams played her last two Grand Slam finals: at the Australian Open, which she lost to Serena, and at Wimbledon, where Garbine Muguruza denied her the title.
-1751484305-q80.webp "Why the 49ers Should Sign Free-Agent Guard Brandon Scherff")
