Venus Williams in line for stunning return to tennis at 44… after sparking rumors of engagement to Italian beau

Venus Williams is poised to make a sensational return to tennis at the age of 44 after being handed a wild card for next month’s Indian Wells in California.

The seven-time grand slam singles champion, who recently sparked rumors she is engaged to Italian beau Andrea Preti, will compete for the first time since March 2024 after an injury-hit year.

Williams has not won a Tour-level match since August 2023, with her only competitive action last year coming after she received a wild card to both Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

She suffered first-round defeats on both occasions, losing to Nao Hibino and Diana Shnaider respectively.

Williams is entering her 32nd WTA season, and will now look to make it to the Indian Wells semifinals for a fourth time when she returns to the court next month.

The tennis icon has a controversial history with the competition, nevertheless. 

Back in 2001, Venus boycotted Indian Wells for 15 years following the heckling of younger sister Serena during her win over Kim Clijsters in the final in 2001.

Her first appearance at Indian Wells came back in 1994. Williams has won five titles at Wimbledon and two at the US Open in singles, along with 14 Grand Slam doubles titles with Serena. 

Earlier this month Venus was spotted wearing a huge diamond ring on her finger while cozying up to boyfriend Andrea in Rome.

She has been linked romantically to actor and filmmaker Preti, 36, since they were first seen together on vacation in Nerano last summer.

And less than a year later, Venus suggested they are already engaged after she was snapped wearing what looks like a wedding band on her left ring finger.

Preti joined his girlfriend for tennis training in Rome, where they were seen laughing together and holding hands in between her practice hits.

Williams could be seen wearing the ring – which boasts a square-cut diamond in the middle of a pavé-set – throughout the session as her man watched on from the sidelines.

After wrapping up practice, Andrea could be seen taking a photo of Venus with two other members of the group before they eventually left the sports club. 

After heading out the loved-up couple could be seen sharing a kiss while walking together hand-in-hand.

It is unclear when exactly Venus and Andrea began dating, with their trip to Nerano on the Amalfi Coast in July 2024 marking their first public appearance together.

They were also pictured walking through New York City hand-in-hand a month later, before recently heading on another vacation to the Bahamas in recent months.

After sharing a photo of them together on her Instagram story, Williams added that Preti was ‘the best company’.