‘I Went Untreated for Years’: Venus Williams, 45, Opens Up About Her Open Surgery After Misdiagnosis

Venus Williams shared a deeply personal update on Instagram on August 1, 2025, revealing her struggle with serious health issues over time.

“On this day one year ago I was having surgery, an open myomectomy to remove fibroids and a large focal adenomyoma that was imbedded [sic] in the muscle of my uterus,” she wrote in the caption.

According to the University of California, San Francisco, (UCSF) a myomectomy removes fibroids while preserving the uterus and is often recommended for women who hope to have children.

Adenomyosis, the condition Williams faced, occurs when endometrial tissue grows into the uterine wall, forming what is known as an adenomyoma.

Alongside a hospital photo carousel featuring herself and her sister, Williams added: “I was told I was inoperable. I was told I could bleed to death on the table. I was told to get a surrogate and forget the hope to carry my own children. I was misdiagnosed. I went untreated for years and years and years.”

The condition affected her tennis career, but since undergoing surgery, she has regained her health and expressed relief that, one year later, she was finally able to compete again — playing her first tournament in more than six months. Williams is now preparing for the US Open.

The Grand Slam champion revealed in an interview that she endured excruciating menstrual pain and nausea, both of which worsened over time. Although she repeatedly raised concerns, doctors dismissed her symptoms, assuring her that what she was experiencing was entirely common. Williams explained:

“It just got too bad, and I couldn’t handle it.”

She always knew she had fibroids, but doctors could not determine their size or confirm that they were the cause of her persistent discomfort.

Over the years, the pain and bleeding intensified, leaving her anemic and dependent on iron transfusions. At one point, anti-doping tests even flagged her anemia, highlighting how significantly her condition affected her performance on the court.

Now, she is speaking out to raise awareness about fibroids, saying, “I’m sharing now because I was outraged that I didn’t know this was possible. I didn’t know what was wrong with me. No one should have to go through this.”

Williams recalled experiencing heavy bleeding during her teenage years. She said that despite experiencing unusually heavy bleeding — even as a teenager — her doctors repeatedly dismissed it as routine, never suggesting anything might be wrong. The athlete admitted she never suspected anything was seriously wrong.

As she grew older, the condition began to sap her energy as a professional athlete. Anti-doping tests frequently flagged her as anemic due to excessive blood loss. The situation became so severe that she layered clothing during her periods and even placed protective coverings on her bed.

Despite the ongoing struggle, Williams continued to compete. At 37, a doctor attributed her symptoms to aging and failed to mention her fibroids, leaving her unaware of how large they had grown.

“Fibroids impacted my career. I never had enough energy most times to play a real match the way I wanted to, and, of course, it affected my results,” the California native admitted.

Now that she has put this chapter of her life behind her, Williams is now looking forward to the future. As previously reported. Tennis icon Venus Williams is officially off the market. The 45-year-old made the surprise announcement after securing her first singles win since 2023, and while fans were thrilled about her return to form, it was her fiancé who stole much of the spotlight.

In a candid moment shared on X by The Tennis Letter, Williams thanked her partner for being a driving force behind her comeback. “My fiancé is here. He really encouraged me to keep playing. Do you know how hard it is to play tennis? It’s 9 to 5 except you’re running the whole time,” she remarked.

Though she didn’t exactly name in the clip, fans recognized her fiancé as Andrea Preti when the interviewer asked, “So how much has Andrea helped you in this comeback?” Supporters haven’t stopped gushing since. On Facebook, fans lit up the comments section with admiration. One fan wrote, “He looks like Tom Cruise here.”

Another added, “Looks like Tom Cruise and Big Mike.” Someone else remarked, “She got a handsome one! I wish them both a lifetime of happiness together. Great couple.” The compliments didn’t stop as one comment read, “He’s handsome!!!” while another stated, “He’s cute. Lucky guy.”

A few fans drew comparisons to other familiar faces, with one saying, “Looks like her sister’s husband,” and another simply noting, “You are looking amazing.” On Instagram, the reaction was just as lively. One person penned, “Hes [sic] handsome but also scary looking,” while another commented, “Handsome , congratulations, [sic].”

Before confirming their relationship, Williams and Preti were publicly seen together on July 27, 2024, enjoying a sunny boat ride along the Amalfi Coast in Nerano, Italy. The sighting came just weeks after Venus appeared onstage at the 2024 ESPYS alongside her sister Serena, who hosted the event.

Then, engagement rumors reportedly began circulating in early 2025 when Williams was spotted training in Rome, wearing what appeared to be an engagement ring on her left hand.

The diamond ring, a square-cut stone set in a pavé band, sparked speculation as she practiced her swings with Preti looking on from the sidelines. In between drills, the couple was reportedly seen holding hands, laughing, and exchanging kisses. At one point, Williams rested her head on Preti’s shoulder, and the two later left the tennis club hand-in-hand.

Rome wasn’t their only romantic escape. Reportedly, the couple had previously been photographed walking through New York City, enjoying another vacation in the Bahamas, and sharing quiet moments that hinted at a serious relationship. Williams was also reported to have posted a photo of them together on her Instagram story, with the caption, “the best company.”

While Williams has generally kept her private life out of the headlines, this new relationship marks a meaningful shift. After reportedly dating Cuban model Elio Pis in 2012 and Nicholas Hammond in 2017, she remained mostly single.

Preti, her fiancé, has built a multifaceted career in television and film. In 2014, Preti wrote, directed, and starred in his first feature film, “One More Day.” He followed that with “The Wolf Man,” a short film exploring human duality, in which a wolf transforms into a man each day.

With a supportive partner by her side, a career still going strong, and fans rooting for her on and off the court, Williams is entering a new and radiant chapter in her life.