A Grand Slam of the Heart: Venus Williams Marries Andrea Preti
Venus Williams, a woman whose life has long unfolded under the bright lights of stadiums and spotlights alike, has entered a new chapter—this time, one defined by love rather than competition. On Tuesday, the seven-time Grand Slam champion quietly confirmed what felt both surprising and inevitable: she is married. Her partner, Andrea Preti, is a Danish-born Italian model and actor, and together they celebrated their union with an intimate, five-day wedding affair in Palm Beach, Florida.
The timing feels poetic. Just months ago, Williams made history once again, becoming the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match when she returned to competition at the Washington, D.C. Open after a 16-month hiatus. Watching from the stands was Preti, then her fiancé, whom Williams publicly thanked—a rare glimpse into a deeply personal love story that had been unfolding largely out of view.
Their connection began with simplicity. After years of independence, Williams was no longer interested in secrecy or complication. When she and Preti began texting, they soon met in London, where Williams invited him to breakfast with her family. “I’m beyond the phase of sneaking around,” she has said candidly. Preti stepped easily into a room filled with formidable women—Williams, her mother, and close confidantes—holding his own with quiet confidence. Days later, he accompanied her to the Serpentine gala in Kensington Gardens, where Williams was hosting. Though the two aimed for discretion, it was already clear that something meaningful was taking shape.
“I just knew,” Williams has said of that early period. The certainty arrived quickly, even as life delivered unexpected challenges. Less than two weeks later, Williams was diagnosed with adenomyoma, a deeply emotional and physically taxing experience. Overwhelmed and searching for answers, she confided in Preti, who responded not with hesitation but action—offering support and helping connect her with medical care in Italy. A month after they met, Williams underwent surgery there, a chapter she now describes as intense, surreal, and deeply bonding.
Six months later, on January 31, 2025, Preti proposed in Tuscany. The setting was cinematic: thermal waters, a day of floating and couples massages, and a quiet dinner beneath the open sky. When he suggested wishing on a star, Williams turned to find a ring instead. Her response was pure Venus—joyful, exuberant, and victorious. “I couldn’t stop jumping up and down,” she recalled, laughing, the way she does after winning a big match.
Their love for Italy led them to their first wedding celebration on September 18 in Ischia. Though legal logistics required a second ceremony stateside, the Italian celebration fulfilled a long-held dream. Now officially married, Williams looks ahead with the same determination that has defined her career. She plans to return for her 33rd consecutive season on the WTA Tour, beginning in Auckland this January—proof that even as her life evolves, her passion remains steadfast.
