Venus Williams reveals engagement to Andrea Preti after turning into oldest WTA match-winner since 2004: ‘My fiancé is right here’

It was a record-making night for Venus Williams on the Washington Open on Tuesday because the legendary 45-year-old tennis participant defeated Peyton Stearns to turn out to be the oldest participant to win a WTA singles match since 2004 and went on to announce her engagement together with her actor boyfriend Andrea Preti.

Williams defeated Stearns 6-3, 6-4 after her return to aggressive motion on Monday within the ladies’s doubles following a 16-month absence from the sport. The victory over Stearns was her first singles win since 2023 in Cincinnati.

The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion is now the oldest participant to win a WTA singles match since 47-year-old Martina Navratilova triumphed at Wimbledon in 2004.

“I believe I simply attacked the entire time. It’s simply looking for the best stability between going to laborious and never sufficient,” Williams stated after the opening-round win.

“It’s the identical as a result of that is what I do, however on the similar time, on the time it was crucial for me to do it. Now I don’t have to do that, however I’ve the identical fireplace and the identical wish to win.

“In some methods, I’m nonetheless getting again into that. While you do it on a regular basis, every little thing is pure. Not as pure feeling now, however I hope I can get again to that.”

Venus Williams declares engagement to Andrea Preti  

Williams additionally introduced that she is engaged to 37-year-old actor Preti and shared how he has helped her get again to the game.

“My fiancé is right here and he actually inspired me to maintain taking part in,’ she stated to large cheers and applause,” Williams was quoted as saying by the Day by day Mail.

“There have been so many occasions the place I simply needed to coast and form of chill. Are you aware how laborious it’s to play tennis? You guys don’t know the way a lot work goes into this, prefer it’s 9 to five besides you’re operating the entire time.

Venus Williams and Andrea Preti share a peck whereas taking photos on the DSQUARED2 picture name for tonight’s fall 2025 runway present in Milan. pic.twitter.com/lmB4ACK8Zn

— WWD (@wwd) February 25, 2025

“Lifting weights and similar to dying and you then repeat it the subsequent day. So he inspired me to get via this and it’s great to be right here. He’s by no means seen me play.”

Williams shall be subsequent up towards Polish fifth seed Magdalena Frech.