The juicy tidbit emerged as the former world No. 1 celebrated her victory over Peyton Stearns at the DC Open, making Williams, 45, the oldest player to win a tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova did at age 47 in 2004. Williams had not played a match in well over a year.

Andrea Preti, an Italian actor and former model, watched from the stands. This was the first time he’d seen her play live. Their relationship dates back to at least July 2024, when People photographed them on a boat off the Amalfi Coast. The engagement rumors began swirling in February after Williams wore a diamond ring at Milan Fashion Week.

Learn about Venus Williams’s fiancé, actor Andrea Preti, his background, career, and recent engagement to the tennis star