Tennis icon Venus Williams has announced her engagement after securing her first victory in nearly two years at the Washington DC tournament.
The 45-year-old champion triumphed over Peyton Stearns, ranked 35th globally, with a commanding 6-3 6-4 performance on Tuesday evening.
Williams, who holds seven Grand Slam titles, had been absent from competitive singles since August 2023. The American star accepted a wildcard invitation for the Washington event, having last competed in Miami during March 2024.
Her victory marks a significant milestone as she becomes only the second woman to claim a tour-level singles win at 45 years of age. The achievement comes three decades after her initial professional victory at just 14. Only Martina Navratilova surpasses Williams' achievement, having competed successfully at 47 years old.
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|Venus Williams last won a match in August 2023
The veteran revealed her engagement to actor Andrea Preti during her post-match interview, acknowledging his crucial role in her tennis comeback.
Williams disclosed that Preti had persistently motivated her to continue her professional career despite her inclination to retire. She emphasised his support during challenging moments when she considered stepping away from the sport.
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The engagement announcement came as Preti witnessed Williams compete for the first time.
"My fiance is here and he really encouraged me to keep playing," Williams told the enthusiastic Washington crowd, adding that "he's never seen me play" before this tournament.
Williams candidly described the gruelling nature of professional tennis during her courtside interview.
"There were so many times where I just wanted to coast and kind of chill. Do you know how hard it is to play tennis?" she remarked.
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|Venus Williams has announced her engagement to Andrea Preti
The champion detailed the relentless physical demands of the sport, explaining the exhaustive daily routine required at elite level.
"You guys don't know how much work goes into this, like it's 9 to 5 except you're running the whole time," Williams stated.
She elaborated on the punishing training regime, describing sessions of "lifting weights and just like dying and then you repeat it the next day." Williams credited Preti's encouragement for helping her persevere through these challenges.
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Beyond her singles triumph, Williams has found success in the doubles competition alongside partner Hailey Baptiste. The pair defeated Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3 6-1 in their opening match.
Williams humorously suggested that her partnership with Baptiste should have begun earlier, joking that "Serena was just in the way." The duo face second seeds Taylor Townsend and Zhang Shuai in today's quarter-finals.
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|Venus Williams has also been having doubles success with Hailey Baptiste
Williams returns to singles action tomorrow against Poland's Magdalena Frech. Looking ahead, she has registered for the US Open mixed doubles tournament with Reilly Opelka, an event that will also feature Carlos Alcaraz and Emma Raducanu.
The two-time US Open winner may also pursue a singles wildcard for Flushing Meadows.