Engagement Confirmation
After months of speculation, Venus Williams has officially announced her engagement to actor Andrea Pretti during her recent return to the tennis court.
In a post-match interview on Tuesday, the 45-year-old tennis star shared that her 37-year-old partner had proposed to her.
The interviewer, Renna Stubbs, asked, “So, how did Andrea help you with this comeback? You seem happy; how much difference did he make in your life?” Williams responded, “My fiancé is here, and he’s really encouraged me to continue playing.” She added that her engagement has significantly impacted her motivation.
“It’s a lot harder than it looks, you know? Playing tennis demands so much effort,” she continued. “There were times when I just wanted to give up.” She expressed gratitude for Pretti’s support, saying, “He motivated me to push through this journey, and it’s wonderful to be here.”
The couple’s relationship became public in July 2024 during a romantic adventure in Italy. Interest in their engagement sparked earlier this year when Williams was seen wearing a diamond ring.
This engagement news arrives four years after she remarked that she wasn’t “desperate” to settle down. Williams mentioned at that time that some friends didn’t believe she was content with her life as it was, saying, “They think I’ll miss my chance, but I’m really okay.”
In previous interviews, Williams spoke about her philosophy on relationships and life changes. She noted, “Sometimes life can keep you in one place for too long. You have to know when to embrace change.”
Before her relationship with Pretti, she had been linked to model Elio Pis and investor Nicky Hammond.
Pretti has appeared in films like “Temptation” and “My Beloved Enemy.” Williams, a standout in tennis, has won Wimbledon five times and was a world No. 1 at her peak.
On Tuesday night, in her first match since March 2024, Williams triumphed over Payton Stearns with a score of 6-3, 6-4 at the DC Open, making her the second-oldest woman to compete in a tour-level singles match.
