Who is Venus Williams' fiancé Andrea Preti? Meet the actor and model who stole the tennis champion's heart
The 45-year-old star confirmed her engagement to Andrea Preti during a post-match interview following her first-round victory at the D.C. Open on Tuesday.
The Grand Slam winner not only made an unexpected return to the tennis court, beating fellow American Peyton Stearns, but she also dropped the news of her bride-to-be status.
'My fiancé is here, and he really encouraged me to keep playing,' Williams, who was first linked to Preti a year ago, said, adding: 'He's never seen me play.'
News the athlete was dating the actor-director, 37, was first thrust into the public eye last July, with snaps of the loved-up couple canoodling on a yacht in Nerano, Italy, making the rounds online.
Williams has remained relatively private about her romantic life. Previously, the tennis champion dated model Elio Pis in 2012 before being linked to wealthy financier Nicholas Hammond in 2017.
Williams is a seven-time Major winner with five Wimbledon titles to her name as well as two US Open victories.
She has also won Olympic golds in singles and doubles events - where she competed alongside her famous sister Serena Williams - and has won around $42 million in prize money over the course of her iconic career.
Below, FEMAIL dives into everything you need to know about the pro-player's fiancé.
Who is Andrea Petri?
Andrea Preti is a model, actor and director who is native to Denmark, but moved to Italy as a teenager, according to IMDb.
He also attended the Susan Batson Academy for acting in New York City. He began his career working on TV in commercials and movies, before changing his focus into writing and directing.
After attending the illustrious academy, Preti wrote, directed, and starred in the 2014 indie film One More Day.
The performer has also appeared in several Italian productions, including the popular drama A Professor and the 2023 series Temptation.
He was also a contestant on the Italian reality version of The Mole (La Talpa) in 2023.
When did the couple start dating?
Preti was first linked to Williams in July 2024, sparking romance rumors while boating around Nerano together.
While taking in the stunning views of Amalfi Coast, the athlete and actor-director looked cozy as they whispered into each other's ears under the warm Italian sunshine.
In one snapshot, Preti wrapped his arm around the seven-time Grand Slam champion, who has kept her love life extremely private over the past few years.
The couple first sparked engagement rumors in February 2025, after Williams was seen practicing in Italy with a huge ring on her wedding finger.
Venus previously said she 'doesn't feel the need to get married' and even joked about being 'undateable'
Williams has previously spoke about how she doesn't feel the need to get married or settle down in her future.
In 2021, she told Cosmopolitan: 'I have a lot of friends who don't believe me when I say that I like my life and I don't want to change it for any reason.'
'I'm not desperate and they don't believe me,' she insisted. 'They say things like, "You're going to miss your window." I'm like, "Please, relax. You might feel this way, but I don't. I promise you I don't."'
Also in 2021, during a chat with ESPN's Chrissie Evert, Williams joked about her lack of love life, saying, 'I'm very single. Actually, I might be undateable.'
A year later, in 2022, she candidly discussed how it can be 'easy to get stuck in a single life.'
'I've had a single life for a long time and I think it's really easy to get stuck in a single life and sometimes – at least for me – harder to get out of a single life,' she told Glamour.
She continued: 'So, that's probably something I'm working on now and it makes you think about yourself and what you want and how to behave. It's definitely a lot of self-thought that goes into it.
'And I guess for other people they are running to a relationship, which has never been my thing. So, we're all different. This is how I work and function, and I'm OK with it.'
She added: 'When life changes, you've got to know when to change. You can't hold on to either a relationship or the singleness. You have to be able to move at the time – and even if you don't want to or aren't ready, you've just got to go with it.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
18 minutes ago
- Reuters
Ryan McMahon 'looks great' as Yankees open 4-game set vs. Rays
July 28 - Ryan McMahon spent Friday night getting a lift from Baltimore to New York following a trade from the Colorado Rockies. The third baseman spent the next two days acclimating to a new set of teammates and making a positive contribution to the New York Yankees. The Yankees hope to see more from McMahon and others Monday night when they host the struggling Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a four-game series. New York is 4-7 over its past 11 games after a five-game winning streak July 6-11. The Yankees avoided a sweep and ended a four-game home losing streak Sunday by earning a 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. McMahon is 3-for-6 in two games after hitting .217 for the Rockies, who dealt him to New York for two minor league pitchers Friday. "He looks great so far," New York closer Devin Williams said. "Hopefully he continues it. I've obviously played against him in the past and he was a good player and I'm happy to have him here." On Sunday, McMahon keyed a four-run second inning by delivering a tying two-run double off Zack Wheeler. He also made three plays in the field, including a sliding stop on Trea Turner and a leaping catch on a line drive by Bryce Harper. "Honestly just excited to do something to help the team," said McMahon, who is batting .342 (13-for-38) with four homers and 11 RBIs over his past 11 games. "Wins are important right now. I'm happy to do some solid stuff out there and get ready for the next one." Tampa Bay took two of three in New York May 2-4 and then went 25-9 from May 20-June 26. Since then, the Rays are a measly 7-18 in their past 25, and they sit at .500 for the first time since they were 27-27 on May 27. Their performance in New York may impact how they approach Thursday's trade deadline. The Rays finished with three hits in Sunday's 2-1 loss at the Cincinnati Reds. It was the 11th time Tampa Bay was held to three hits or fewer. The Rays mustered only a homer by Taylor Walls while striking out 10 times, giving them 43 in the past four games. Tampa Bay also is 1-6 in seven games since putting Brandon Lowe on the 10-day injured list a week ago with left foot and ankle tendinitis. "We're missing Brandon Lowe," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "He knows that more than anybody. I know that. It's a different lineup when he's in it and how other guys are pitched. We have enough offense here that can work around that." New York's Cam Schlittler (1-0, 4.35 ERA) will make his third career start, and it could be an audition for a potential trade. Schlitter allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings in his major league debut against the Seattle Mariners on July 9 and allowed two runs in five innings in a no-decision at Toronto on Tuesday, when the Yankees earned a 5-4 win. Drew Rasmussen (7-5, 2.93), who turned 30 on Sunday, starts for Tampa Bay and is 6-1 with a 2.60 ERA in his past 12 starts. Rasmussen is coming off four straight no-decisions and allowed two runs on three hits in four innings in Tampa Bay's 4-3 win over the visiting Chicago White Sox on Tuesday. Rasmussen is 2-1 with a 0.34 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against the Yankees and has not allowed a run in 13 innings during his two previous appearances in New York. --Field Level Media
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
What to Stream: Reneé Rapp, 'The Phoenician Scheme,' Elvis rarities, Anthony Mackie and Jason Momoa
Benicio Del Toro starring in Wes Anderson's 'The Phoenician Scheme'and Reneé Rapp 's second studio album are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time, as selected by The Associated Press' entertainment journalists: Jason Momoa brings his passion project 'Chief of War' to Apple TV+, there's a coxy Hobbit video game in Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game and 'Project Runway' tries out a new network home for its 21st season. New movies to stream from July 28-Aug. 3 – Wes Anderson's 'The Phoenician Scheme' (streaming now on Peacock) stars Benicio Del Toro as Anatole 'Zsa-zsa' Korda, a wealthy and unscrupulous European industrialist. After the latest assassination attempt on his life, he decides to leave his estate to one of his many children, Lisel (Mia Threapleton), a novitiate. Michael Cera co-stars as a Norwegian insect expect named Bjørn. In her review, the AP's Jocelyn Noveck wrote that the film finds Anderson 'becoming even more, well, Wes Anderson than before.' – The Netflix romance 'My Oxford Year' (streaming Friday, Aug. 1) follows a young American student named Anna (Sofia Carson) in her long-dreamt-of year at Oxford University. Corey Mylchreest co-stars as a local love interest in the film directed by Iain Morris. – Movie soundtracks once played so much more of a role in popular culture. A new series on the Criterion Channel collects some of the films from the soundtrack's heyday, the 1990s, when songs from movies like 'Trainspotting' (1996) and 'Singles' (1992) dominated the airwaves and MTV. Also running this month on Criterion are 'Grosse Pointe Blank' (1997), 'So I Married an Axe Murderer' (1993) and 'Judgement Night' (1993). — AP Film Writer Jake Coyle New music to stream from July 28-Aug. 3 — The King of Rock 'n' Roll has returned. On Friday, Aug. 1, to celebrate what would've been Elvis Presley's 90th birthday year, a massive collection of 89 rarities will be released as a five-disc CD boxset – and on all digital platforms. Titled 'Sunset Boulevard,' the series pulls from Presley's 1970-1975 Los Angeles recording sessions and rehearsals at RCA's studios. There is no greater gift for the Elvis aficionado. — Reneé Rapp will release her second studio album on Friday, Aug. 1, the appropriately titled 'Bite Me.' The 12-track release is imbued with Rapp's edgy, lighthearted spirit — catchy R&B-pop songs about bad breakups and good hookups abound. It'll put some pep in your step. — AP Music Writer Maria Sherman New series to stream from July 28-Aug. 3 — 'Project Runway' has had quite a life since it debuted in 2004 on Bravo. After its first six seasons, the competition show about fashion design moved to Lifetime for 11 seasons, then back to Bravo for a few years, and its new home for season 21 is Freeform. Christian Siriano — who won the show's fourth season — is an executive producer, mentor and judge. He joins 'Project Runway' OG host Heidi Klum, celebrity stylist extraordinaire Law Roach and fashion editor Nina Garcia. It premieres Thursday and streams on Disney+ and Hulu. — Comedian Leanne Morgan stars in her own multi-cam sitcom for Netflix called 'Leanne,' debuting Thursday. Inspired by her own stand-up, Morgan plays a woman whose husband leaves her for another woman after more than three decades of marriage. Morgan stars alongside sitcom vets Kristen Johnston and Tim Daly. — Anthony Mackie's 'Twisted Metal' is back on Peacock for a second season of beginning Thursday. The show is adapted from a popular video game franchise and picks up about 7 months after the events of season one. —Jason Momoa brings his passion project 'Chief of War' to Apple TV+ on Friday, Aug. 1. Set in the late 18th century, Momoa plays Kauai, a nobleman and warrior, who plays a major part in the unification of the Hawaiian islands. The series is based on true events and is told from an Indigenous point-of-view. — Alicia Rancilio New video games to play from July 28-Aug. 3 — Games set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth usually want to drag us back to Mount Doom for another confrontation with the Dark Lord. But what if you're a Hobbit who just wants to hang out with your friends in your peaceful village? That's your mission in Tales of the Shire: A Lord of the Rings Game. It's a cozy sim from Weta Workshop, the company behind the special effects in Peter Jackson's films. You can grow a garden, go fishing, trade with your neighbors and — most important for a Hobbit — cook and eat. It's about as far from Mordor as it gets, and you can start decorating your own Hobbit Hole on Tuesday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch or PC.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Michael J. Fox's forgotten fling with Nancy McKeon sparked friendship with future Melrose Place star
Michael J. Fox has long been pals with Doug Savant, as they met via The Facts of Life star Nancy McKeon, who Fox dated in the mid-1980s. Savant, 61, chat about his longtime friendship with Fox, 64, to People at Lifetime's Summer Soirée event, held at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel July 16. Savant spoke with the outlet in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the August 1985 release of the comedy Teen Wolf. Savant - who would find fame playing Matt Fielding on the nighttime soap Melrose Place in the 1990s - appeared in the film as a rookie actor opposite Fox. Fox was one of the biggest stars of the 1980s with his roles as Alex P. Keaton on Family Ties and time traveling teen Marty McFly in the Back To The Future franchise. In the movie, Savant portrayed of Brad, a classmate and basketball teammate of Fox's lead character, Scott Howard, a teenage high school student who had the ability to transform into a wolf. Savant expounded to the outlet about his connection to Fox through McKeon - and how it tied into his Southern California roots. 'I grew up in Burbank, California, and I went to school with Philip McKeon and Nancy McKeon – Nancy McKeon from Facts of Life and Phil McKeon from Alice,' Savant said. 'And we were dear friends.' Savant said that he didn't tell Fox about his connection with McKeon, 59, specifically in an effort not to bother the star. 'I just wanted to do my job and be professional, but I had not said anything, said Savant, who also is known for playing Tom Scavo on the hit ABC series Desperate Housewives. Savant said that a week into production, Fox figured out the connection and confronted him about it. 'He went home and Nancy asked, "Who's in the movie with you? Let me see the call sheet." And she said, "Doug Savant? We were family friends."' Savant added, 'One day, Michael comes to work, he says, "Why didn't you tell me that?" He was upset with me that I had not told him.' After that, a fast friendship formed, according to Savant, who said that he 'had a great time' working with the beloved actor on Teen Wolf. Savant said that he looks back with nostalgia on his work on the motion picture: 'I have such great memories from that film.' He added of the movie's longevity: ' The movie has had a stunning lifetime, and people love it. 'They made sequels, and it resonated. So I'm just grateful to have been a small part of it. Savant said the movie was on TV while he was working on a new project and jarred his nostalgia. He recalled: 'The craft service person would play movies, and he puts on Teen Wolf. And there I was doing my job on a new show, but watching Teen Wolf in the craft service trailer.' Fox in 1985 met actress Tracy Pollan, who worked with him on Family Ties, but 'their relationship remained platonic, however, as they were both dating other people at the time,' People reported. They commenced dating after working together again on the 1988 movie Bright Lights, Big City, and married that same year. Fox and Pollan are parents to four adult children: son Sam Michael, 36, twin daughters Aquinnah Kathleen and Schuyler Frances, 30, and daughter Esmé Annabelle, 23. The Back To The Future star was 29 in 1991 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and went public with the information in 1998. He has spent the years since working tirelessly on charitable efforts toward funding research with a cure in mind.
