When Venus Williams shared photos on Instagram of her second wedding to Italian actor and model Andrea Preti on Tuesday (23 December), the congratulatory comments on the post revealed the seven-time tennis Grand Slam singles champion’s appeal across generations, sports and nations.
Fellow tennis stars such as current player and compatriot Coco Gauff, a two-time singles Grand Slam winner and selected for two Olympic Games, and former French rival, Mary Pierce, also a two-time major winner and three-time Olympian, dropped some heart emojis in the comments.
Additional U.S. sports stars who sent well-wishes include former artistic gymnast and Beijing 2008 women’s all-around champion Nastia Liukin and retired athletics superstar and International Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission member Allyson Felix, who has seven Olympic gold medals and 14 world titles to her name.
Two love hearts were also sent by 17-year-old Rayssa Leal, the Brazilian Olympic silver and bronze medallist  and two-time world champion in women’s street skateboarding.
The love for Williams was also shared by one of the greatest tennis players of them all who played a big part in the five-day extravaganza in her home locale of Palm Beach, Florida, finishing with the wedding on 19 December.
Of course, it’s Venus’ sister Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam singles winner and four-time Olympic champion who “evolved away from tennis” in 2022.
“My sister’s keeper. Venus, where do I even begin? From the backyard courts to the biggest stages in the world, you’ve always led with grace, strength, and a heart bigger than any trophy,” wrote Serena on Instagram. “Watching you step into this next chapter surrounded by love felt like watching the sun rise…steady, powerful, and full of promise.”
And the wedding gift from Serena to her big sister?
A yacht, on which the buoyant couple celebrated with family and friends, with well-wishes from sport stars across the world adding to the love boat vibe.
The days-long celebration in Florida included a lip-sync battle, dancing, a sports day, and pool parties, coming months after an initial ceremony in Preti’s native Italy in September. Venus Williams, 45, is set to continue into her 33rd season on the WTA Tour in 2026.