Venus Williams has always been discreet, even secretive, about her love life. She’s always moved like a shark through the choppy dating waters. People will convince themselves that she’s quietly dating some guy, then she pops out with a completely different guy and then, just as suddenly, she’ll go underground for another couple of years. All I know is that I actually follow tennis and tennis player gossip and I genuinely thought Venus was dating another tennis player, Reilly Opelka. There have been rumors about Venus and Reilly for YEARS now. Even if they aren’t dating/fooling around, they definitely seem to be good friends – as much as any 44 year old woman can be besties with a 27-year-old tennis bro. In any case, there are new, exclusive photos of Venus hugging a completely different guy in Rome this week, and People Mag just started some engagement rumors.

Are wedding bells ringing for Venus Williams? The pro tennis player, 44, was spotted getting cozy with actor Andrea Preti, 36, outside of a tennis training session in Rome — while wearing a sparkling diamond ring on her left hand.

In photos obtained by PEOPLE, Williams and Preti could be seen sharing some PDA as the pair kissed, before Preti planted another smooch on Williams’ cheek as she smiled brightly. Additional photos and videos showed Preti watching Williams practice tennis from the sidelines. Throughout the practice, she wore on her diamond ring — which appeared to feature a square-cut diamond in the middle of a pavé-set.

Williams and Preti could be seen hugging each other in another photo during practice and holding hands during a break.

It’s unclear how long the pair have been dating, but they were photographed together on vacation as early as July 2024. In photos obtained by PEOPLE, the two were seen boating together in Nerano, Italy along the Amalfi Coast. The tennis star wore an olive green dress during the Mediterranean getaway. Meanwhile, Preti, whose acting credits include the Italian television series A Professor and the film One More Day, wore a white button-down shirt and sunglasses while they lounged together.

The two were also photographed walking hand-in-hand around New York City, according to photos obtained by Hola! The pair appeared to be casual, with Williams sporting a white tank top, green shorts and a hat, while Preti wore gray sweatpants and a black shirt.

The pair got even closer in recent months, with the athlete sharing a picture of her and the actor posing side by side for the camera while on vacation in the Bahamas on her Instagram Stories, according to Sportskeeda. Over the photo, she wrote that Preti was “the best company.”

[From People]

No, I actually feel sorry for Reilly! The betrayal he must feel! No, I’m sure he knows all about this, he probably knows more than People Mag. If Venus is really engaged, good for her. She’s been a bachelorette for a long time, and she’s always had a “no one can tie me down” energy. Also, it feels like good news that Venus is on a practice court? She still hasn’t officially retired from tennis, although she hasn’t played a match on tour in about a year. Perhaps a comeback tour during the clay season.

Is Venus Williams Engaged to Actor Andrea Preti? Tennis Star Spotted with Diamond Ring on That Finger https://t.co/apbCs5QEsz

— People (@people) February 7, 2025

DEUXMOI EXCLUSIVE…Venus Williams & actor and producer Andrea Preti in Nerano, Italy 📸 @backgrid_usa pic.twitter.com/WhDBjvm2CJ

— deuxmoi (@deuxmoiworld) July 29, 2024

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Backgrid, Cover Images.