Venus Williams has always been the queen of the pivot. Whether she’s charging the net at Wimbledon or launching a billion-dollar interior design firm, she moves with a kind of calculated grace that leaves everyone else playing catch-up. For years, the question of a Venus Williams spouse was a bit of a running joke in the media—mostly because Venus herself seemed so genuinely uninterested in the traditional "settle down" narrative. She famously told Cosmopolitan back in 2021 that she was "very single" and actually liked it that way.
Then came 2025.
Everything changed when she confirmed she wasn't just dating, but actually engaged to Italian actor and producer Andrea Preti. By the end of the year, they weren't just engaged; they were "double-married." It’s the kind of whirlwind romance that feels like a movie script, yet it’s the reality for one of the greatest athletes to ever pick up a racket.
Meet Andrea Preti: The Man Who Became the Venus Williams Spouse
Honestly, if you hadn't heard of Andrea Preti before he started appearing on Venus’s Instagram, you aren't alone. Unless you’re a fan of Italian cinema or follow Milan Fashion Week like a hawk, he was probably a mystery. Born in Copenhagen but raised in Italy, Preti is a bit of a polymath. He’s a model, an actor, and a director. Basically, he’s exactly the kind of high-energy creative you’d expect to keep up with someone like Venus.
The two met in September 2024. It was a total fluke. Venus was in Lake Como for a "sisters' trip" and ended up at a Gucci show on a whim. Preti was there, too, though he later admitted he was exhausted and almost skipped it. Talk about a sliding doors moment. According to their interview with Vogue, he walked up to her in the VIP section, told her she was beautiful, and she responded—to his total shock—in fluent Italian.
Their connection was fast. By January 2025, they were engaged in Tuscany.
The "Double Wedding" and Why It Happened
People were a little confused when news broke that they had two weddings. No, it wasn't a celebrity stunt. It was actually a classic case of international red tape.
They had their first ceremony in Ischia, Italy, on September 18, 2025. It was small, romantic, and exactly what they wanted. However, because Venus is a foreigner, the legal paperwork for a marriage in Italy can take upwards of eight months to clear. Instead of waiting for the bureaucrats to catch up, they decided to have a second, official "courthouse" wedding in Palm Beach, Florida, in December 2025.
The Five-Day Florida Extravaganza
If the Italy wedding was for them, the Florida wedding was the party. Serena Williams basically took over the role of "Ultimate Sister," gifting the couple a massive yacht day to kick things off.
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It wasn't your typical stuffy wedding week. Think:
- A "Sexyy Red" and French Montana dance party on a bus.
- A sports day where Venus played dodgeball and pickleball (she insisted on being on Andrea’s team).
- A 6:45 AM courthouse ceremony on December 19th just to ensure they had the place to themselves.
The actual vows were a mix of English and Italian. Andrea mentioned that while Venus is shy about her Italian, she’s actually quite good. He even admitted he cried "like a little kid" when she walked down the aisle to a song that reminded him of his late grandmother. It’s those tiny, human details that make this relationship feel so different from the typical celebrity pairing.
What This Means for the Future of Her Career
One of the coolest things about this relationship is how it’s impacted her tennis. At 45, most players are long gone, enjoying retirement on a golf course. Venus? She’s still out there.
When she won a big match at the DC Open in July 2025, she specifically shouted out Andrea from the court. She said his encouragement was a major reason she didn't just "coast and chill." Having a partner who understands the grind of the spotlight—but isn't in the tennis world—seems to have given her a fresh perspective.
She’s already confirmed she’s playing a 33rd consecutive season on the WTA Tour in 2026.
Moving Beyond the "Single" Narrative
For a long time, Venus was the poster child for the "happy and single" movement. She took a lot of heat for it, too. People told her she’d "miss her window." Seeing her married now isn't a betrayal of that old independence; it’s just the next chapter. It proves you don't have to settle for the sake of settling. You wait for the person who makes you want to get up at 6:00 AM for a courthouse wedding and play dodgeball on your honeymoon.
If you’re following the Venus Williams spouse journey, the best way to keep up is through her official social media or the occasional high-end fashion spread. She’s still private, but she’s clearly happy.
Actionable Insight: If you're looking to follow more of Venus's journey, keep an eye on the 2026 Met Gala. She’s co-chairing it alongside Beyoncé, and you can bet Andrea will be right there on the red carpet with her. It's going to be the definitive "public debut" of their life as a married couple.