Tennis fans were already thrilled to see Venus Williams make her long-awaited return to competition this season, but the excitement doubled when her personal life unexpectedly stepped into the spotlight. After months of speculation, subtle hints, and careful glimpses, Venus Williams is officially engaged, and she’s finally sharing the moment with the world. Her new set of never-before-seen photos has turned a quiet milestone into a joyful headline.
The stunning images, released Tuesday across her social media accounts, mark the first time the public has seen the moments immediately following Andrea Preti’s proposal earlier this year. And in a season defined by resilience, recovery, and renewed ambition on the court, the news of Venus Williams’ engagement feels like the triumphant, heartwarming twist fans didn’t know they needed.
A Nearly Year-Long Secret Finally Shared
In the newly revealed photos, Williams and her fiancé, Italian actor and producer Andrea Preti, appear relaxed and radiant on a tropical getaway. The couple embraces, laughs, and even poses with Williams’ senior dog, Harry. These soft, intimate snapshots accompany a caption as simple as it is sparkling: “Engaged 1/31/25💫.”
The reveal confirms that Williams has been engaged since January 31, just after the 2025 Australian Open wrapped, making this announcement nearly a year in the making. The post quickly drew thousands of interactions, including heart-eyes from Coco Gauff, as fans and friends celebrated a moment many suspected but had never seen confirmed.
Speculation first began last February, when Williams was spotted wearing two different diamond rings at separate events. However, it wasn’t until midsummer, right in the middle of her long-awaited return to the Hologic WTA Tour, that the tennis world finally received confirmation that Venus Williams was, in fact, engaged.
Confirmed During Her Comeback to Competition
Williams’ return to competition was already one of the biggest storylines of the summer. After more than a year away from the tour, she opened her comeback with a first-round win over Peyton Stearns at the Mubadala Citi DC Open, becoming the second-oldest player in history to win a tour-level singles match in the Open Era. Yet the bigger reveal came moments later.
Venus Williams on her fiancées support after getting 1st singles win since 2023
“My fiancée is here. He really encouraged me to keep playing. Do you know how hard it is to play tennis? It’s 9 to 5 except you’re running the whole time” 😭😭😭😭
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 23, 2025
In a courtside interview with former player Rennae Stubbs, Williams, beaming brighter than she had in months, confirmed the engagement. When Stubbs playfully nudged the topic, Williams acknowledged that Preti had been instrumental in motivating her to return.
“My fiancé is here, and he really encouraged me to keep playing,” she said. She added that before this year, Preti had never seen her compete in person, making his support throughout her grueling comeback even more meaningful, even at age 45.
A Romance Fueled by Support and Shared Strength
Williams has never sugar-coated the demands of professional tennis. Laughing, she once described it as “9 to 5, except you’re running the whole time.” That honesty made her reflection on Preti’s encouragement particularly impactful.
According to Williams, he pushed her on the days she wanted to coast, grounded her emotionally when training grew difficult, and helped her rediscover the joy in competing. The effect was unmistakable. Her renewed energy was evident in her three-set battle against No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova at the US Open and her doubles quarterfinal run alongside Leylah Fernandez.
With her engagement now public and her commitment already set for the 2026 ASB Classic in New Zealand, Venus Williams appears to be stepping into this next era (both personally and professionally) from a place of balance, clarity, and genuine joy.
Never-Before-Seen Photos Capture a Quiet, Joyful Moment
The engagement photos themselves are soft, atmospheric, and refreshingly unfiltered. Williams wears a sleek white Prada halter dress, while Preti keeps his look understated, allowing emotion—not styling—to take center stage. The images highlight a tenderness that contrasts beautifully with the fierce competitiveness fans know so well.
By sharing these photos now, Williams is opening a rare window into one of her most private milestones. It’s a glimpse that humanizes an icon, reminding fans that even the greatest champions celebrate victories that don’t happen on a court.
A New Chapter Begins
As Venus Williams prepares for another competitive season, the release of these previously unseen engagement photos offers a poetic footnote to one of the year’s most inspiring comeback arcs. For fans who have followed her since the beginning, this moment is both a celebration and a reminder that her journey continues to unfold in unexpected, beautiful ways.
Whatever the next chapter brings, one thing is certain: Venus Williams is stepping into it with renewed spirit. And with a partner who has already played a meaningful role in shaping this new phase of her life.
Featured image: @venuswilliams/Instagram
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A fashion and pop culture writer who watches a lot of TV in his spare time. At Style Rave, we aim to inspire our readers by providing engaging content to not just entertain but to inform and empower you as you ASPIRE to become more stylish, live smarter and be healthier. Follow us on Instagram @StyleRave_ ♥
