Venus Williams' boyfriend has given her a ring, but that doesn't mean a walk down the aisle is imminent.
Nicky Hammond, Venus' long-time boyfriend who was her date for sister Serena's wedding to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian last fall, has given the four-time Olympic gold-medal champion a ring.
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However, the New York Post's Richard Johnson reports it is a friendship ring and not an engagement ring.
Hammond declined to comment, telling The Post, “We have a firm commitment to one another to keep our relationship private.”
The 26-year-old Hammond and the 38-year-old Venus have been tight-lipped about their romance. Hammond, who is an heir of TV Guide billionaire publisher Walter Annenberg, has been in Venus' box for major matches.
“They are in love,” a source close to the couple told the New York Post's Johnson. “But no one has mentioned any engagement.”
The 2017 US Open semifinalist spent part of her Open preparation schooling Nick Kyrgios in badminton.
Venus has said in past interviews she would like a family someday, but has suggested it would come after her playing career is done.
The two-time US Open champion says her goal is to keep playing until at least the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games when she'd be 40 years old.
Photo credit: Rob Newall/CameraSport