Venus Williams arrived in Australia about a week and a half ago. She played the smaller tournament in Sydney – where she lost to a resurgent Angelique Kerber – and she’s been in Melbourne ever since, preparing for the Australian Open. She was finalist in last year’s Aussie Open, and everybody’s talking about how difficult Venus’s draw is this year. I’m honestly concerned that she might lose in the first round. We’ll see.
But while she’s in Melbourne, Venus is apparently enjoying herself with her new boyfriend. Venus seemed to break up with her previous boyfriend, who was a hot male model or something, and she’s been with this new guy for about four months or so. They’ve been seen on dates in New York and Palm Beach, and now he’s in Melbourne with her. He’s a millionaire, apparently, and twelve years younger than her…? Get some, Venus.
It’s love, set, match for Venus Williams, as friends wait to see if her new boyfriend, millionaire Nicholas Hammond, will sit courtside for her Australia Open matches. The pair has largely flown under the radar, but insiders close to the super jock don’t expect that to continue much longer.
“He’s a wealthy financier who goes between California and New York,” according to a source, who, along with other Williams’ associates, say Hammond’s name has come up a lot Down Under as Williams readies for this weekend’s tournament.
“She likes that he’s very private,” according to our spy. We’re told that Venus affectionately calls her beau “Nicky” and she’s telling friends she’s “very happy.” Hammond — who’s 12 years younger than Williams — isn’t in it for the money, according to our spy.
“He’s definitely not a fortune hunter,” we’re told. “She’s head over heels for him.”
The “very handsome” 25-year old is an heir to Walter Annenberg’s TV Guide fortune. His parents are socialite Dana Hammond and her ex-husband James.
“Nicky has met up with Venus in Palm Beach, where his family has a $20 million mansion as well as in the Hamptons, where they have a $20 million house,” we’re told. We also hear that Hammond was Williams’ date to her sister Serena’s wedding in November.
According to our source, Venus has expressed an interest in having kids, despite Vogue magazine’s report on Wednesday that her 36-year-old sister Serena, overcame life-threatening complications in September when she gave birth to her first baby.
If Serena is increasingly an open book with her private life, Venus is a mystery. People rarely talk about her love life or her personal life. Did you know she quietly got her college degree a few years ago, and that she’s currently working on her MBA? Did you know that she’s the second-highest earner in the history of the WTA, second only to Serena? My point is that Venus is smart, Venus is rich, and Venus keeps her sh-t locked down. While I don’t think that a 25-year-old TV Guide heir is “the one” for Venus, I hope she’s having fun.
Photos courtesy of Getty.
Never a fan of a 12 year age gap, but tbh, he looks older than he is, not particularly frat-y or trust fund-y and like he won’t get any body image issues around a tall, strong woman. So good for them.
Why aren’t you a fan of a 12 year age gap? Or any age gap?
I love these men who are attracted to strong, successful, independent women.
What’s wrong with a 12 year age gap? And are you saying you don’t like 12 year age gaps but if the person looks older than their age that makes it ok. Looking older still doesn’t change the person’s age.
+1,000
My husband is nearly 15 younger than me. And he looks like he is. And?
Some comments about ‘age gaps’ are really ugh sometimes…
Cradle robber. FOR SHAME!
I don’t see the problem at all. Another set of rules made up by someone for some reason that no one knows.
Two adults can make their own decisions, and my husband is a decade or so older than me. He doesn’t look his age, but he is his age.
My bf who lives with me is 11 years younger than me.
my hubby is almost 11 years younger than me. His craziness meets mine, thankyouverymuch.
I hope Venus is happy.
I agree with you. I’m not a fan of big age gaps regardless of who is older.
Hffff ok, where to begin. Yeah, I have something against bigger age gaps, especially if one of the partners is in their early/mid 20s. @all the ladies who date younger men here: Were they in their early 20s when you started dating them? Or did you meet them later on? I’m younger than Venus and some of my students are 25, I could never see myself dating them, they’re a bunch of still-pimply, dumb boys. I know that not EVERYONE is like that and that it totally can be a functional relationship. Hell, I even pointed it out here, that dude doesn’t look like a fratboy douche but like someone who could handle being with someone as powerful as Venus.
Every time some age gap stories comes up here, people jump in with their anecdotal stories about how the age gap in their relationship is wonderful and it all is fine. Well, I have like 5 anecdotal stories from my closer circle of friends and my personal experience (with a much older partner) where it turned to absolute sh!te. Not because many relationships do so, no, because of the age difference. So we probably could be talking about this all day without moving an inch, since we see different realities reflected in RL.
It bugs me though that if this was a 36 year old dude dating a 25-year old girl, there would be a lot more critical voices speaking up here. We live in a world that’s obsessed with youth and while I agree this is weighing much harder on women, it still doesn’t feel right to me to applaud a woman who goes for much younger men. Sorry.
I remain with my initial sentiment: Not the happiest about the age gap, he doesn’t look a young fool though so: Good for them.
I have been a bad relationship with someone who used me because I was only 19 at the time. But he only liked me because I was 19. He is emotionally stunted and wanted decoration and to be a svengali and not a mate. It is embarrassing that I thought he was wise and such an important artist. (Projectile vomit) Such a misunderstood complicated soul. (doubles over for another round) He enthralled me. I felt proud to be with someone so respected not realizing his feelings for me were as an object or an empty young vessel to make into what he wanted me to be. Just as long as my clothes were edgy, expensive and sexy and I looked high maintenance, he was content and acted like any positive personality traits were just bonuses. We had some fun times, but it was a relationship that wasn’t balanced, and once I started growing away he was not very nice. Talk about a manipulative person who presents differently than he really is.
That is an example of an unhealthy age gap.
I know the difference. I know I am not in that now. I know other people who are just happy together, and age has nothing to do with it.
“It bugs me though that if this was a 36 year old dude dating a 25-year old girl, there would be a lot more critical voices speaking up here.”
Seriously? I don’t think anyone would notice. That’s like standard for men, heck, if they are a celebrity male that age I’d be surprised they’d go for such an “old woman”.
And your advice to Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron would be…
I’m not bothered by age gaps but Macron and his wife are a TERRIBLE example because she is basically a predator
Venus likes her boyfriends young, tall, and pretty. She’s the Clooney of women’s tennis! Venus is an elite athlete who owns several design businesses. Less serious relationships may be the best fit in that very dynamic life.
Yes, Venus likes younger guys, there was something like a ten year gap between her and the previous ‘male model’ she was with for many years. I wonder what happened to him? This relationship is quite new. I also recall she had a fling with one of her bodyguards a long time back. But Venus is super private.
lol, from the one photo I have seen of him, he wouldn’t actually qualify as, “pretty.”
Good for her! Glad to see Venus and Serena date men on their financial level. Cause then the men are not with them for the money. Good job ladies
Why does the guy need to be rich? I find that kind of bizarre
There are a tons of great guys not rich
Who wants a Mary J. Blige situation where the guy is trying to milk her for everything he can get even though he cheated on her? A rich woman is very smart to get someone who is on her level.
This guy totally finds Venus relationship worthy, guys. Let’s quickly put that disclaimer out there. Because with the dozens upon dozens of times guys have dated her for $$ has us all concerned. *eyeroll* I mislike.
Anytime someone has money, there are people who will be interested because of that. See: All the old guys with younger women. I hope you weren’t referring to my comment. I meant rich people in general.
I came for pictures of this alleged beau, but there aren’t any ☹️
Me too! Google his name with Venus and you will find some. He is pretty unremarkable.
She has had some hot bods in the past.
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/confidential/venus-williams-new-beau-talk-australian-open-article-1.3751889
yes, Venus is very quiet.
I love her, I really love both sisters.
And FYI, not only did Venus complete her college degree but she was instrumental in establishing the IU East online-WTA partnership so other WTA players can get a higher education.
Sloane Stephens is a recent graduate as well. And I understand there is a similar partnership with the ATP.
Go Venus! https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/indiana/2015/08/31/newest-iu-graduate–venus-williams-tennis-superstar/71489304/
That’s awesome!
That article warmed my cold heart. Go Venus!
I love this.
Careers that start young may offer life experience, but there is nothing like having that degree and accomplishing that goal. I am proud of mine even if it happened differently.
I admire Venus a lot for recognizing how important education is and showing young fans what it means to be a well-rounded woman.
That is awesome. Venus has faced a lot of challenges, with her health issues and that awful car accident last year (that was the other driver’s fault and that she was unfairly lambasted for in the gossip press before the video came out). I hope her new beau makes her happy, and wish her all the best.
Found a picture of them together, they make a cute couple!
These sisters are making me happier with every post I see about them.
“While I don’t think that a 25-year-old TV Guide heir is “the one” for Venus” How do you know that? That’s a very presumptuous and egotistical thing to say. Good grief.
So fortune hunter is the male equivalent to gold digger?
Let’s not lead with him being a millionaire and a wealthy guy. His parents are rich. He’s a trust fund baby.
If articles about Paris Hilton always call her an Heiress, then let’s do the same for guys.
I say get it, Venus.
Live your best life, chica.
I always thought Venus was several years older than Serena for some reason. If she’s found a guy she likes and is happy, good for her. Hopefully they can keep as much privacy as they want.
Annenberg was way more than just the TV Guide guy – major philanthropist and supporter of the arts. If you’ve ever been to the Met or the Philadelphia Museum of Art, you’ve seen some of his amazing collection. This guy is the grandson of one of Annenberg’s sisters, so I doubt he inherited much.
I think Venus has also had some health issues, sjogren’s disease or lupus? I forget which.
I wonder if that has changed her perspective on dating.