Venus Williams Makes Triumphant Return — and Announces Engagement at DC Open

Venus Williams’ return to professional tennis after a 16-month break came with more than just a win — it came with a surprise engagement announcement.

The 45-year-old legend made history this week at the DC Open, becoming the second-oldest woman ever to win a tour-level singles match. But after her victory, all eyes turned to the stands, where Williams thanked her fiancé, Andrea Preti, for his support.

Preti, a Danish-born Italian model and actor, has appeared in several European productions and is listed on IMDb for both film and fashion work.

Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, kicked off her comeback with a doubles win on Monday, followed by a singles victory on Tuesday. She exited the doubles draw on Wednesday but remains in contention in singles — with a second-round matchup against Magdalena Frech scheduled for Thursday night.

Her return has already sparked excitement on and off the court — and now, with a wedding on the horizon, the comeback story just got sweeter.

With input from The AP News