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Venus Williams will tie the knot this Friday on the picturesque island of Ischia in the Bay of Naples, marrying her fiancé, model and actor Andrea Preti. The tennis legend reportedly fell in love with Ischia last year during a holiday in the charming fishing village of Sant’Angelo, located on the island’s southern coast.
This wedding comes shortly after Williams’ remarkable appearance at the US Open this fall, where, at 45 years old, she returned to the Grand Slam stage. Although she was eliminated in the opening round of singles by Karolina Muchova, Williams for the first time joined forces with Canadian star Leylah Fernandez in doubles. The duo advanced to the quarterfinals, drawing enthusiastic support from fans. Their run ended on September 2, when they were defeated by the top-seeded pair Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova, but the crowd responded with an emotional standing ovation.
Following her US Open campaign, Williams traveled to London to reconnect with friends and enjoy a quiet retreat on a countryside estate. From there, she continued to Italy to prepare for her big day.
The ceremony is set to take place at Punta Imperatore lighthouse, an active lighthouse located atop an impressive overhanging promontory with sweeping views across the Bay of Naples. Reaching the site requires a walk along a carved stone path and the climb of 155 steps.
After the vows are exchanged, celebrations will move to Lisola, a restaurant launched last year. For the wedding, the venue will be tightly guarded to guarantee the couple’s privacy. The guest list remains under wraps, though whispers of famous athletes and entertainers arriving on the island have been circulating for days.
The upcoming wedding follows a lively bachelorette celebration Williams enjoyed in July, when she and her sisters, along with a group of close friends, spent several days sailing around Menorca aboard a yacht. Just a week later, she finally confirmed what had long been rumored: her engagement to Andrea Preti, which had quietly lasted for over a year.
This will be Williams’ first marriage, though back in 2007 she was the subject of engagement rumors with golfer Hank Kuehne. (sources: Yahoo, Ansa)
