Venus Williams opens up on love, longevity and her return to tennis alongside Andrea Preti

A champion's comeback, backed by love

Venus Williams has spent decades reshaping tennis, winning seven Grand Slam singles titles and helping secure equal prize money for women at Wimbledon. At 46, she continues to compete despite years of physical challenges, including Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune condition she publicly discussed in 2011. Away from the court, she has entered a new chapter with Italian actor and model Andrea Preti, whom she married in 2025.

From Compton to the top of the sport

Venus Williams grew up in Compton, California, alongside her younger sister Serena Williams. Their father, Richard Williams, coached them from an early age. Venus turned professional in 1994, aged 14, and her powerful serve and speed soon made her one of the leading players in women's tennis. She won her first Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon in 2000, then defended it in 2001, and also won the US Open singles title in both years.

Her career includes five Wimbledon singles titles, two US Open singles titles and four Olympic gold medals, including one in singles at the 2000 Sydney Games. Williams played a major role in the campaign for equal prize money at the four Grand Slam tournaments. Wimbledon introduced equal prize money for men and women in 2007, making it the last of the four majors to do so, and Williams won the women's singles title that year.

Serena went on to win 23 Grand Slam singles titles, but Venus built her own legacy as a five-time Wimbledon champion, a former world No. 1 and one of the most influential figures in modern tennis.

Managing Sjögren's syndrome and returning to the court

Williams publicly revealed in 2011 that she had Sjögren's syndrome after withdrawing from the US Open. The autoimmune disease can cause dry eyes and mouth, joint pain and severe fatigue, and there is no known cure. Williams has spoken about how the condition affected her energy and ability to perform, and she changed her approach to training and nutrition while working towards a return to her previous level.

Her return to competition in 2025 was a major moment. After more than a year away from tournaments, she played at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington and won her first singles match in nearly two years, defeating Peyton Stearns in straight sets. Speaking during her on-court interview, Williams said: "My fiancé is here and he really encouraged me to keep playing."

She continued competing in 2026, playing tournaments including the Australian Open, the US Open and events on the North American hard-court circuit. At the 2026 US Open, she returned to Grand Slam doubles with Serena for the first time since 2022. The sisters lost a close three-set match to Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint.

How they met and married

Williams met Andrea Preti in 2024 at a Gucci show during Milan Fashion Week. According to Vogue, Williams had been in Lake Como on a trip with her sisters when she received an invitation to the event. The two began talking, which led to further contact and dates in London. Williams told Vogue she had spent six years single before the relationship began and wanted something straightforward.

The couple became engaged on January 31, 2025, during a trip to Tuscany. They first held a wedding ceremony in Ischia, Italy, on September 18, 2025, and later held a second wedding in Palm Beach, Florida, in December, which included several days of events and a courthouse ceremony that made their marriage official in the United States.

Explaining the second wedding, Williams told Vogue: "We had this dream to do our wedding in Italy. But we didn't have enough time to do the paperwork—because I'm a foreigner, it can take about eight months. So we decided to have a second wedding." The celebrations included a yacht gathering arranged by Serena Williams, a family sports day and a wedding reception. Williams described the experience as "the happiest, most beautiful, sweetest day."

What her story says about love, age and success

Williams reached the top of tennis while still young, helped change the sport's approach to equal pay and continued playing through a long-term health condition. Her relationship with Preti has added another chapter. Her singles results in recent seasons have not matched her peak years, but she continues to compete against younger players and make her own decisions about the future.

"Having someone who shows up for you and believes in your fire changes everything," the story's central theme suggests. At 46, Williams continues to decide what comes next, both on the court and in her life away from it.