Venus Williams

Born in Lynwood, California, Venus Williams grew up playing tennis with younger sister Serena Williams. Venus turned professional at age 14 and became the first unseeded player in the Open Era to go to a Grand Slam final at the US Open in 1997, where she lost to Switzerland’s Martina Hingis.

Venus has garnered seven Grand Slam titles and won her first gold medal at the 2000 Olympics when she defeated Russia’s Elena Dementieva in the women’s singles final. She went on to win three more gold medals with her sister in women’s doubles in the 2000, 2008 and 2012 Olympics. Venus also won a silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2016 Olympics with Rajeev Ram. Venus is considered to be one of the most decorated tennis players in Olympic history.

Venus has kept her private life largely out of the spotlight. She is rumored to be dating Andrea Preti, whom she was first linked to in July 2024.