After more than a year away from the game, Venus Williams returned to the tennis court with a win—and a surprise announcement that had fans roaring.
But this wasn’t just a triumphant match. It was also the moment she let the world know she’s officially off the market.
A Win on the Court and in Love
At 45, Venus made a memorable comeback at the Citi Open in Washington D.C., defeating 22-year-old Peyton Stearns in straight sets.
But while the tennis performance was electric, the real headline came just moments after. During her post-match interview, Venus casually dropped the bombshell: she’s engaged.
“My fiancé is here and he really encouraged me to keep playing,” she told the cheering crowd, referencing her partner, 37-year-old actor Andrea Preti.
“There were so many times I just wanted to coast and chill.
Do you know how hard it is to play tennis? It’s like a 9 to 5, but you’re running the entire time.”
Back After Surgery and a Long Break
This win marked her first match in 16 months.
During her time off, Venus had surgery to remove uterine fibroids—something that had been quietly affecting her for years throughout her decorated career.
Speaking after a recent doubles match earlier in the week, Venus shared how the surgery gave her a new outlook.
“Where I am this year is so different from where I was last year.
It’s like night and day,” she said. “Last year, I was preparing for surgery.
This year, I’m preparing for tournaments. It really puts things in perspective.”
Andrea Preti: The Private Fiancé
Though Venus is famously private about her personal life, fans had started to speculate about her relationship with Andrea Preti after they were seen vacationing together last summer.
Preti, who was born in Denmark and later moved to Italy, is an actor and model, though he’s kept a low profile during their romance.
Unlike her sister Serena, who married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, Venus had mostly remained single throughout her career.
But she hinted back in 2022 that things might be changing.
In an interview with Glamour, she said: “It’s really easy to get stuck in a single life… but when life changes, you’ve got to know when to change too.”
Making Tennis History—Again
Venus’s latest victory wasn’t just special because of her engagement—it also put her name back in the history books.
She became the oldest player to win a WTA singles match since Martina Navratilova triumphed at Wimbledon at age 47 in 2004.
Next up, she’ll face 27-year-old Polish player Magdalena Frech, the tournament’s No. 5 seed.
It’ll be a tough test, but Venus isn’t new to challenges.
A Legacy That’s Still Growing
With seven Grand Slam singles titles—five from Wimbledon and two from the US Open—and four Olympic gold medals, Venus has already cemented herself as a tennis icon.
Over her long career, she’s raked in around $42 million in prize money, breaking barriers both on and off the court.
Now, with renewed health, love in her corner, and another win under her belt, Venus is proving that age and setbacks are no match for determination—and maybe a little encouragement from the one you love.