Andrea Preti, boyfriend of tennis star Venus Williams, expressed admiration for Reilly Opelka after the American advanced to the round of 32 at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C. Opelka began his tournament journey by beating Murphy Cassone 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 6-3 in a tightly contested match.
In a two-hour and 21-minute contest, the 27-year-old Opelka showcased his serving prowess by delivering 23 aces and winning 53 of 61 points on his first serve, demonstrating excellent control and power throughout. Andrea Preti shared his excitement and praise for Opelka’s performance on his Instagram story.
“Amazing match bravo,” Preti wrote, adding two blue hearts and hammer emojis
Preti, who is an actor, writer, and director, also admired Opelka’s forehand and arm strength.
“That forehand,” he wrote, adding a series of hammer emojis.
Looking ahead, Opelka is set to face Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, in the round of 32 on Thursday. Additionally, Opelka will team up with Venus Williams in the Mixed Doubles competition at next month’s US Open, scheduled to run from August 24 to September 7.
Andrea Preti and Venus Williams’ Relationship and Upcoming Plans
Andrea Preti, an Italian artist known for his work in independent films and national television, has been dating Venus Williams for less than a year. The couple frequently appears in public together, gaining admiration from fans. They are planning an intimate wedding ceremony in September this year on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, highlighting their growing personal and public connection.
Venus Williams Returns to Professional Tennis with Optimism
Venus Williams made her comeback to competitive tennis by winning alongside partner Hailey Baptiste in the Citi Open women’s doubles. They defeated 2014 Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue 6-3, 6-1. Williams shared insights into her mindset as she resumes her career.
“My personal goal is to have fun I think right now, and enjoy the moment, not put too much pressure on myself. Of course, I love winning. I want to win. But more than anything, I just want to get the best out of myself. If I can do that, then I’ll be fine,” she said.
The 45-year-old tennis legend, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, is competing in her first professional match in 16 months since her last appearance at the 2024 Miami Open. Her return highlights her ongoing dedication to the sport, balancing passion with a reflective approach.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Reilly Opelka stop playing tennis?
A. In the quarterfinals, Opelka surprised everyone by defeating former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. However, he seemed to have wrist problems during his semifinal victory against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Standing at 6-foot-11, Opelka took almost two years off because he needed surgeries for wrist and hip issues. He made his comeback to the top level of play last season.
Q. Why did Reilly Opelka stop playing?
A. In late October 2023, Opelka made a comeback to the ATP Challenger Tour at the 2023 Charlottesville Men’s Pro Challenger. He had been away for nearly eighteen months, mainly because of a wrist injury. In his first match back, he won against Tennys Sandgren without dropping a set. Unfortunately, he had to retire during the second round.