Venus Williams confirms engagement to actor-producer Andrea Preti
Williams, who was away from the court for a while, made a historic return at the Washington Open.
According to The People, Williams revealed that her boyfriend, Andrea Preti, has proposed to her.
As the interviewer referred to Venus as an "engaged woman," further asking if her partner has helped her in the comeback, the tennis star said, "My fiance is here and he really encouraged me to keep playing."
The seven-time Grand Slam champion further elaborated how she wanted to "coast and chill" during her break and that it was Preti who encouraged her to get through.
"Do you know how hard it is to play tennis? You guys don't know how much work goes into this, like it's 9 to 5 except you're running the whole time. Lifting weights and just like dying and then 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," Venus said.
Venus, the elder sister of Serena Williams, has been quite private about her relationship with the 'One More Day' actor. They were first linked romantically in July 2024 after being spotted boating in Nerano, Italy, as per the outlet.
Meanwhile, Venus received a wild card main draw entry into the Cincinnati Open, the tournament said on Wednesday, as the 45-year-old American enjoys an age-defying return to the spotlight.
Venus became the oldest player to win a WTA singles match since 2004 when she beat world number 35 Peyton Stearns at the Washington Open on Tuesday, after a 16-month absence from the game.
Venus previously declined a wild card entry invite for Indian Wells earlier this year.
The main draw of the Cincinnati Open begins on August 7.
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