After about 20 years of dominating tennis courts all over the world, Venus Williams is now celebrating a new type of win, a victory of the heart. The 45-year-old tennis star just said she is engaged to be married with Italian actor and movie maker Andrea Preti, right after she got a tough win at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C.
She shared this new information with her fans during an after-match interview, that was meant to talk about her return to professional tennis, but it quickly moved to other news when Williams spoke of her soon-to-be husband.
“My fiancé is here, and he really encouraged me to keep playing,” she said with a smile, confirming what fans had long suspected.
Mix of victories in professional and private life
The news came after some fans thought she might be engaged because, earlier this year, Williams wore a big diamond ring during a practice in Italy. Though they kept most of their time private, they were seen on a trip along the Amalfi Coast last summer, building a new Italian romance.
Andrea Preti, 37, started first as a model, and now he became a great actor in TV and films in Italy. He learned acting in New York City and has made movies too. Though not often in the news, Preti has been a quiet, steady part of Williams’ life in the past year, watching her play and backing her at the low moments as she aimed to get back in shape.
Her win at the Citi Open was her first by herself in nearly two years off the courts and showed how tough she still is as a player despite retirement. At 45, she is one of the oldest women to win a big match like this. Another record in her long and successful career.
Venus’ time is now
While Venus always liked doing things her way, once saying that marriage was not in her plans, these new step shows both personal change and an open mind towards new starts and experiences. “I’ve always done things on my own time,” she once said. And just as you would expect, her way of spreading the wedding news was low-key, it just slipped into a chat.
Fans and fellow athletes filled social media with good and happy wishes, congratulating her for the return and her personal joy. The engagement also got the eye of those in show business, where Preti is liked for his also low-key look and creative work.
Bright future for the William’s family
The Williams family has been news a lot this year, with Serena Williams starting a new life after tennis and being a mom to her young girl. Now, it is Venus’ turn under the lights, managing top-level tennis and a happy future with her soon-to-be husband.
With new fire in her game and a partner by her side, Venus Williams keeps showing us how to be successful in sports and life, not just as a player, but as a woman making her own way in the world and love.
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