Tennis legend Serena Williams has penned a deeply emotional public message to her older sister, Venus Williams, following a lavish second wedding ceremony in Florida over the weekend.
A Sister's Heartfelt Tribute
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, the 23-time Grand Slam champion expressed her profound love and admiration for Venus, who recently married her Italian actor and model partner, Andrea Preti. Serena's post reflected on their journey from childhood courts to global stardom.
"My sister’s keeper," Serena began. "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." She likened watching her sister embrace this new chapter to "watching the sun rise…steady, powerful, and full of promise."
Serena credited Venus as her "built-in best friend, my protector, my teacher," and concluded with a toast: "To love, to partnership, to laughter, and to a lifetime of choosing each other every single day."
Six Days of Celebration and a Generous Gift
The happy couple hosted six days of luxurious dinners and parties in Palm Beach, Florida, for close friends and family. This event served as a second celebration, as the pair had initially tied the knot in Italy in September. Official paperwork from Italy can take up to eight months to process, prompting the stateside festivities.
In a revelation to Vogue, Venus shared that Serena's extraordinary wedding gift was a yacht, fully arranged for a pre-wedding gathering. "Serena gave us this gift of a beautiful yacht, and she arranged all the food, everything," Venus said. Approximately 10-12 guests enjoyed an evening of singing, dancing, and gossip on the boat.
A Fashion Show Romance and Dual Ceremonies
Venus Williams, 43, and Andrea Preti, 37, first met in 2024 at a Milan fashion show. Venus nearly skipped the event while on a sisters' trip in Lake Como, and Preti was tired, making their encounter a serendipitous one. Their first date was a breakfast in London, where Venus immediately felt a certainty about their future, telling Vogue, "I just knew I was going to marry him."
The couple got engaged in July, shortly after Venus made a triumphant return to competitive tennis at the DC Open following a 16-month hiatus due to surgery for uterine fibroids. They opted for two wedding ceremonies: the first in Italy and the recent lavish celebration in the United States, which included family from Italy and a series of pool parties and dinners.
The Williams sisters' legacy as a doubles team remains unmatched in tennis history. Together, they have won:
- 14 Grand Slam doubles titles
- 22 WTA Tour doubles titles
- 4 Australian Opens, 2 French Opens, 6 Wimbledons, and 2 US Opens
- 3 Olympic Gold Medals
Serena's touching tribute underscores that beyond their historic on-court achievements lies an even more powerful and enduring sisterly bond.
