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The tennis icon shared a deeply emotional tribute to her older sister, Venus Williams, following Venus' marriage to actor Andrea Preti. In an Instagram post on Tuesday, Dec. 23, Serena, 44, opened up about the profound bond she shares with her sibling, calling her a "built-in best friend."
"Venus, where do I even begin?" Serena wrote in the touching caption. "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."
The 23-time Grand Slam champion expressed how moving it was to witness Venus enter this new chapter of life.
"Watching you step into this next chapter surrounded by love felt like watching the sun rise...steady, powerful, and full of promise," Serena continued. "You've been my built-in best friend, my protector, my teacher, and my reminder to always walk in purpose."
Serena concluded her message by toasting the newlyweds, writing, "To love, to partnership, to laughter, and to a lifetime of choosing each other every single day. I couldn't be prouder to stand beside you, not just today, but always."
The wedding was a multi-day affair fit for tennis royalty. Venus, 45, and Preti, 37, celebrated their union with a five-day extravaganza in Palm Beach, Florida. The festivities included a yacht party hosted by Serena herself. "Serena gave us this gift of a beautiful yacht, and she arranged all the food, everything," Venus told Vogue. The schedule also featured a boudoir-inspired bridal shower, a pool party, and a competitive "sports day" before the couple officially tied the knot in a courthouse ceremony on Dec. 19.
This wasn't their first "I do." The couple actually married privately in Italy back in September. However, the Florida celebration allowed them to share the moment with their wider circle of family and friends. For the courthouse ceremony, Venus broke with tradition by having her family, including mom Oracene and sisters Serena, Lyndrea, and Isha, all dress in white alongside her. Serena played a key role in the planning process leading up to the big day.
"I'm the person that arranges things, I'm like the planner," Serena previously told PEOPLE in September, revealing she even created a PDF presentation to help Venus decide between 14 different hairstyles.
