Are wedding bells ringing for Venus Williams?
The 44-year-old tennis legend was spotted cozying up with Italian actor Andrea Preti, 36, outside a tennis training session in Rome. Adding to the buzz, Williams was seen wearing a sparkling diamond ring on her left hand, fueling engagement rumors.
A Romantic Sight in Rome
In exclusive photos obtained by PEOPLE, Williams and Preti were seen sharing a kiss, with Preti also planting a sweet smooch on her cheek. The tennis star was all smiles as they embraced.
While practicing on the court, Williams continued to wear the eye-catching diamond ring, which appeared to feature a square-cut diamond in a pavé setting. More snapshots captured the couple hugging, holding hands, and enjoying each other’s company during a break in training.
A Timeline of Their Romance
While it’s unclear how long the couple has been dating, their romance first caught attention in July 2024, when they were spotted vacationing together in Nerano, Italy, along the Amalfi Coast.
In the vacation snapshots:
- Williams wore an olive green dress, exuding effortless style.
- Preti, known for his roles in A Professor and One More Day, looked relaxed in a white button-down shirt and sunglasses.
Later, they were also photographed walking hand-in-hand in New York City, dressed casually in shorts and sweatpants.
Their relationship has seemingly deepened in recent months. In a vacation photo from the Bahamas, Williams shared a picture of them side by side on her Instagram Stories, captioning it:
“The best company.”
Williams’ Past Views on Relationships
Before dating Preti, Williams was romantically linked to:
- Model Elio Pis (2012)
- Nicholas Hammond (2017-2019)
Despite her previous breakups, she remained open to love. In a 2022 interview with Glamour UK, she admitted she had been single for a long time and found it easy to remain that way.
“When life changes, you’ve got to know when to change,” she said.
“You can’t hold on to either a relationship or the singleness.”
Are Wedding Bells Ahead?
Though neither Williams nor Preti has officially commented on the engagement speculation, her stunning diamond ring has certainly raised eyebrows.
With their growing closeness and public displays of affection, fans are eagerly waiting to see if the tennis champion is ready to say “I do”!