Venus Williams, 45, confirms engagement to actor eight years her junior, after breaking 20-year record

Tennis legend Venus Williams has confirmed her engagement to actor–producer Andrea Preti.

Following her stunning singles comeback at the DC Open on July 22 2025, the 45-year-old  confirmed to the press that the 37-year-old is her ‘fiancé’.

Williams defeated the 23‑year‑old Peyton Stearns in straight sets, becoming the oldest woman since Martina Navratilova in 2004 to win a WTA Tour singles match.

During her post-match interview, question arose about her fiancé’s support.

 Venus warmly responded as reported by PEOPLE: “My fiancé is here and he really encouraged me to keep playing.”

"There were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill," she continued.

"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’ win over Stearns came more than 16 months after her last singles match, making her the oldest WTA Tour-level singles match-winner since 2004.

According to the aforementioned outlet, the couple’s romance was first speculated upon in July 2024, when they were spotted together aboard a boat in Nerano, Italy, along the Amalfi Coast.

Fans were quick to point out the seven-time Grand Slam champion wearing a diamond band during training in Rome in February 2025, fuelling engagement rumours.

She later made a stylish appearance at Milan Fashion Week with that same ring, further deepening speculation.

Earlier this month, reports surfaced of a planned wedding this September on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, though neither has officially confirmed the date.

Born on June 6 1988 in Copenhagen, Denmark, Andrea Preti moved to Italy in his teens and developed a career initially in modelling before studying acting at the Susan Batson Academy in New York.

Preti has since worked as an actor, producer, writer, and director.

Notable credits include writing, directing, and acting in One More Day (2014), starring in the TV series A Professor, and appearing in the 2023 film Temptation.

With Venus preparing to challenge Poland’s Magdalena Frech next, the engagement marks a significant personal milestone as she eyes further competitive achievements.