Venus Williams has spent much of her career fighting for equal treatment in tennis. Now, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion has started a new chapter with Italian actor Andrea Preti, whom she married in Florida in December 2025 after an earlier ceremony in Italy. While Williams continues to pursue her tennis career, her story also includes a fight for equal prize money and efforts to support people affected by violence. Her marriage brings a personal milestone, while her achievements on and off the court continue to shape her legacy.
How did Venus Williams and Andrea Preti meet and marry?
Williams and Preti first met during Milan Fashion Week in 2024, after attending a Gucci show. Their relationship developed over the following months, and Preti proposed on January 31, 2025, during a trip to Tuscany, Italy.The couple held their first wedding ceremony in Ischia, Italy, on September 18, 2025. They later married in Palm Beach, Florida, in December. In an interview with Vogue, Williams explained that they had always wanted to marry in Italy, but making the wedding legally recognised there would have taken too long.Their Florida wedding came after several days of celebrations with family and friends. Williams’ sister, Serena Williams, also arranged a yacht outing for the couple and their guests.Alongside these celebrations, Venus was preparing to return to professional tennis after a 16-month break. She competed again in July 2025, showing that she was not ready to step away from the sport. Preti has also spoken about his admiration for her dedication, and Williams has described the support he gave her during a difficult period involving her health.
What did Venus Williams change in the fight for equal pay?
Williams’ impact on tennis goes well beyond her seven Grand Slam singles titles. She played a major role in changing how Wimbledon paid its male and female champions, taking on a long-standing gap that she believed was unfair.In 2005, Williams raised the issue with the Grand Slam Committee. When the gap remained, she made her case publicly in an opinion piece published by The Times of London on June 26, 2006.She wrote:“I feel strongly that Wimbledon’s stance devalues the principle of meritocracy and diminishes the achievements of female athletes… Wimbledon has sent me a message: namely, that I am only a second-class champion.”Williams wanted women to receive the same prize money as men competing at the same tournament. Her campaign helped put pressure on Wimbledon to change its policy. In February 2007, the tournament announced equal prize money for male and female players across all rounds.Later that year, Williams won the Wimbledon women’s singles title and became the first female champion to receive the same prize money as the men’s winner. The French Open also introduced equal prize money in 2007.Her fight helped change the sport for future generations, giving her career an impact that goes far beyond the trophies she won.
How does the Yetunde Price Resource Center help families?
Williams’ work outside tennis is also closely linked to her family. In 2003, her eldest sister, Yetunde Price, was killed in a shooting in Compton, California. Price was a mother of three, and her death had a deep impact on the Williams family.In 2016, Venus and Serena Williams helped establish the Yetunde Price Resource Center in Compton in their sister’s memory. The centre connects people affected by violence with support and community services.Its work focuses on helping people deal with the effects of violence and find support as they move forward. The centre also reflects the sisters’ connection to Compton, where they spent part of their childhood.The loss of Yetunde was a personal tragedy, but the centre gives her memory a lasting place in the community. It also brings attention to the needs of people whose lives have been affected by violence.Specific claims about the centre’s services, including free therapy, job training and financial planning programmes, should be included only when confirmed by reliable records. There is also no verified evidence establishing that Preti jointly runs these programmes with Williams.
How have health challenges shaped Venus Williams’ career?
Williams has faced health challenges alongside the demands of professional tennis. In 2011, she announced that she had been diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition that can cause fatigue, joint pain, dry eyes and dry mouth.The diagnosis forced her to withdraw from the US Open that year. She later spoke about how the symptoms affected her energy and made it harder to compete at her usual level.However, Williams continued to work towards returning to the court. After a 16-month break from competition, she returned at the Washington tournament in July 2025 and won her opening singles match. At the time, she became the oldest woman to win a WTA Tour-level singles match since Martina Navratilova in 2004.Her health journey has also included treatment for uterine fibroids. These experiences have given her a personal understanding of how health problems can affect everyday life and a demanding sporting career.Preti supported Williams when she needed medical care in Italy, according to Vogue. Williams said he helped her connect with a doctor, offering a clear example of his support during their relationship.Her marriage to Preti marks a new part of her personal life, but her career and the causes she has supported have their own history. From challenging Wimbledon over equal pay to helping establish a centre in memory of her sister, Williams has used her public platform to bring attention to issues beyond tennis.