Venus Williams, the tennis legend, gave holidaymakers a rare glimpse of her personal life as she prepared for her upcoming wedding to actor Andrew Preti.
The 45-year-old was seen riding a golf cart through the picturesque village of Sant’Angelo on the Italian island of Ischia, dressed in a white outfit and sun hat bearing the inscription “Mrs Preti.”
A Private Celebration in Sant’Angelo
The wedding is reportedly set for Friday on Ischia, and eyewitnesses described Venus and her sister Serena, who has retired from professional tennis, riding in the back of the buggy alongside wedding guests sporting “Team Groom” and “Team Bride” T-shirts.
One onlooker recalled shouting Venus’ name, catching her attention, while another described the arrival of the party via golf carts after leaving taxis nearby.
The lettering on her hat, “SIG RA PETRI,” is an abbreviation of the Italian word “Signora,” translating to Mrs in English, confirming her role as bride-to-be.
Engagement Announcement and Relationship Background
Venus confirmed her engagement to Andrew Preti during a post-match interview at the D.C. Open in July, shortly after defeating fellow American Peyton Stearns.
Preti, 37, is a model, actor, and director with a career spanning Italian TV dramas, reality series, and the indie film One More Day. Born in Denmark, he moved to Italy as a teenager and trained at the Susan Batson Academy in New York before establishing himself in entertainment.
Venus’ Private Personal Life
Williams has largely kept her personal life out of the public eye.
Over the years, she has been linked to model Elio Pis in 2012 and financier Nicholas Hammond in 2017, but she rarely shares details about her romantic relationships.
During the DC Open, Venus spoke warmly about her fiancé’s support, saying, “My fiancé is here, and he really encouraged me to keep playing. He’s never seen me play.”
A Legendary Career and Personal Philosophy
Venus Williams remains one of tennis’ most successful players, boasting four Olympic gold medals and more than $42 million in career prize money. She has previously discussed her contentment with being single and prioritizing her life and career over societal expectations.
In 2021, she told Cosmopolitan, “I have a lot of friends who don’t believe me when I say that I like my life and I don’t want to change it for any reason.
I’m not desperate, and they don’t believe me.”
She has also humorously reflected on her love life, joking to ESPN’s Chrissie Evert that she might be “undateable” and acknowledging how easy it can be to “get stuck in a single life.”
Looking Ahead
With her wedding imminent, Venus seems to be embracing this new chapter while continuing to maintain her balance between personal happiness and professional success.
The intimate celebration on the scenic island of Ischia offers a private moment for the tennis star to enjoy her special day away from the spotlight.