Former world number 1 tennis player gets engaged to model and actor Andrea Preti

Tennis legend Venus Williams has officially confirmed her engagement to Italian actor and model Andrea Preti, marking a new chapter in both her personal and professional life.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion, made her return to the Hologic WTA Tour at the age of 45 at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, where she addressed rumors about her relationship status in a post-match on-court interview on July 22.

“Yes, my fiancé is here and he really encouraged me to keep going,” Williams said. “There were so many moments when I just wanted to take it easy. Do you know how hard it is to play tennis? People don’t realize how much work it takes. It’s like a 9-to-5, but you’re running around nonstop… and then you do it all over again the next day. He pushed me to get through it, and it’s amazing to be here. He’s never seen me play before,” she added with a smile.

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Williams was previously linked to model Elio Pis back in 2012 and later to financier Nicholas Hammond in 2017.

Who is Andrea Preti, Venus Williams’ fiancé?

Andrea Preti is an Italian actor and model who was born in Denmark on June 6, 1988. He spent much of his childhood there before moving to Italy during his teenage years with his family. Though he made his name in the fashion world, Preti eventually shifted gears to pursue a career in acting and film production.

According to his IMDb profile, Preti studied acting at the Susan Batson Studio in New York City, an experience that opened the door to roles in television, film, and commercials.

In 2014, he wrote, directed, and starred in his debut feature film “One More Day”. He also wrote and performed in the short film “The Wolf Man,” and penned “Animals,” a movie described as a blend of action, heartbreak and romance.

His acting credits include “Love Pret-a-Porter,” “My Beloved Enemy,” “Detective per Caso,” “Girls to Buy,” and “Temptation,” along with the Italian TV drama “A Professor.” He also made an appearance on the Italian reality series “La Talpa.”

Williams and Preti’s low-key romance

Preti and Williams were first spotted together in July 2024 during a trip to the picturesque seaside town of Nerano, Italy, sparking initial speculation about their relationship. Since then, the couple has largely kept things private. However, engagement rumors picked up steam in February 2025 after Williams was photographed wearing a diamond ring in Rome, a piece she also sported during Milan Fashion Week.

Now, with the engagement confirmed, fans are eager to learn more about the man by Venus’ side as she continues her storied tennis journey.

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