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Annabel Croft
Annabel Croft
Annabel Croft
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Annabel Nicola Croft (born 12 July 1966) is a British former professional tennis player and current radio and television presenter. As a tennis player she won the WTA Tour event Virginia Slims of San Diego and represented Great Britain in the Fed Cup and the Wightman Cup.

Key Information

After retiring from tennis, she turned to television presenting, with such shows as Treasure Hunt and Interceptor. In 2005, she appeared in the ITV programme Celebrity Wrestling and went on to win it. In 2023 Croft was a contestant in BBC's Strictly Come Dancing and finished fourth.

Most recently she has been a presenter and pundit for Eurosport, Sky Sports and the BBC.

Early life

[edit]

Croft was born in Farnborough, Kent. Her father James was educated at the independent Sutton Valence School in Kent, becoming a chartered surveyor. He married her mother, Susan Templer of Higham, Kent, in June 1963. Her father worked for Richard Ellis, which is now CBRE Group. They lived in Bickley. [1] She was coached by Derek Bone.[2]

Tennis career

[edit]

After winning the Wimbledon and Australian Open girls' tournaments in 1984, she won the Virginia Slims of San Diego tournament in 1985, beating Wendy Turnbull in the final in straight sets.[3] In December 1985, she achieved a world ranking of 24.[4] She played for Great Britain in the Fed Cup in 1985 and 1986, and in the Wightman Cup from 1983 to 1986.[4] She continued to play through February 1988, but failed to reach another final.[5]

After tennis

[edit]

Despite her potential and being amongst the world's top 25 players, Croft retired from professional tennis at the age of only twenty-one, tired of the relentless travel and feeling she no longer enjoyed playing.[6] Immediately after her retirement, Croft became the new face of Channel 4's prime time show Treasure Hunt, following Anneka Rice's successful run. This was followed by her own show on ITV, Interceptor.[7]

In 1990 Croft released her own fitness video entitled Annabel Croft's Shape Tape.[8]

She has been involved in coverage of Wimbledon Tennis Championship for the BBC, Radio 5 Live and GMTV, and has also worked for Sky Sports,[9] and Eurosport[10] as a tennis pundit. She has appeared on UK lifestyle TV shows such as The Wright Stuff, The Entertainment Show, GMTV, Out and About and This Morning.[4]

In June 2009, Croft was one of five volunteers who took part in a BBC series of two programmes Famous, Rich and Homeless about living penniless on the streets of London.[11] After Famous, Rich and Homeless Croft did a follow-on Radio 5 Live radio show which was broadcast on 24 and 25 December 2009, entitled James: My Alcoholic Friend, where she tries to track down the rough sleeper with whom she had spent a night on the streets.[12]

She was a presenter for Sky Sports, including the 2012 US Open.[9] She also jointly presented Game, Set & Mats on Eurosport in 2015, along with former tennis player Mats Wilander, during Grand Slam tournament weeks of tennis.[10]

In November 2011, Croft - a presenter on Eurosport - hosted the AIB Media Excellence Awards, the international competition for journalism and factual production.[13]

In October 2012, Croft launched a company called DiaryDoll with TV presenter Carol Smillie, retailing waterproof pants for periods, post-maternity and pelvic-floor weakness, with an aim to be pretty, feminine, breathable and wash-proof whilst reducing stigma of the topic of women's pelvic health.[14]

In 2021 she was the winner of the IC of GB Sportsmanship Award, given to a British tennis player for admirable attitude as a sportsman or sportswoman during their career.[8] Former winners include Sue Barker (2019), Virginia Wade (2017), Greg Rusedski (2011), Tim Henman (1999), and Jeremy Bates (1995).[15]

Between September and December 2023, Croft was a contestant in the twenty-first series of the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, partnered with professional dancer Johannes Radebe.[16] The couple finished in fourth place.[17]

Personal life

[edit]

Croft was married to Mel Coleman, a former international America's Cup and Admiral's Cup yachtsman. They were married on Saturday 10 July 1993 at Brasted St Martins, by Rev Raymond Hill. She met her husband when he taught her to sail in 1987 for a TV programme. The guests included Roger Taylor and jockey John Francome.[18][19] They were driven away from the church in the original car from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, which was her favourite film.[20][21]

The couple lived in Coombe, near Wimbledon, in the London borough of Kingston, with their three children, two daughters named Amber Rose and Lily and a son, Charlie.[22] In 2009, jointly, they started the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy at the National Tennis Centre.[22] After a short illness with stomach cancer,[23] Coleman died on 24 May 2023.[24]

Croft has been active in raising awareness of child obesity, and is a supporter of the children's cancer charity Young Lives vs Cancer (formerly known as CLIC Sargent).[25]

WTA career finals 1 (1 title)

[edit]
Result No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
Win 1. 22 April 1985 Virginia Slims of San Diego, United States Hard Australia Wendy Turnbull 6–0, 7–6(7–5)

Grand Slam performance timelines

[edit]
Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# DNQ A NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.

Singles

[edit]
Tournament 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 W–L SR
Australian Open Q1 Q2 1R 1R NH A 1R 0–3 0 / 3
French Open A Q1 1R 1R 2R 1R A 1–4 0 / 4
Wimbledon 1R 1R 3R 1R 1R 2R A 3–6 0 / 6
US Open Q2 1R 1R 2R 3R 2R A 4–5 0 / 5
Win–loss 0–1 0–2 2–4 1–4 3–3 2–3 0–1 8–18 0 / 18
Year-end ranking 161[26] 138[27] 82[28] 24[29] 82[30] 141[31] 265[32]

Doubles

[edit]
Tournament 1984 1985 1986 1987 W–L SR
Australian Open 1R 2R NH A 0–3 0 / 3
French Open 2R 1R 1R 1R 1–4 0 / 4
Wimbledon A 1R 1R 1R 3–6 0 / 6
US Open 1R 1R 1R A 4–5 0 / 5
Win–loss 0–1 0–2 2–4 1–4 8–18 0 / 18
Year-end ranking 114[33] 62[34] 126[35] 292[36]

Mixed doubles

[edit]
Tournament 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 W–L SR
Australian Open A NH A 0–0 0 / 0
French Open A 1R A 1R A 1–4 0 / 4
Wimbledon 1R 1R 1R 1R 2R 3–6 0 / 6
US Open 1R 1R A 4–5 0 / 5
Win–loss 0–1 0–1 0–2 2–4 1–4 8–18 0 / 18

National team participation

[edit]

Fed Cup

[edit]
1985 Federation Cup Main Draw
Date Venue Surface Round Opponents Final match score Match Opponent Rubber score
6–14 Oct
1985 		Nagoya Hard R1  West Germany 3–0 Singles Myriam Schropp 6–3, 6–1 (W)
R2  Japan 2–1 Singles Etsuko Inoue 7–6(9–7), 6–7(4–7), 6–3 (W)
QF  Bulgaria 1–2 Singles Manuela Maleeva 2–6, 2–6 (L)
1986 Federation Cup Consolation rounds
20–27 Jul
1986 		Prague Clay R1 BYE
R2  Finland 3–0 Singles Petra Thorén 6–4, 3–6, 6–4 (W)
Doubles(with Anne Hobbs) Suonpaa/Thorén 6–0, 6–1 (W)
QF  Indonesia 3–0 Singles Suzanna Anggarkusuma 6–2, 2–6, 6–2 (W)
Doubles(with Anne Hobbs) Anggarkusuma/Basuki 6–2, 4–6, 6–2 (W)
SF  Hungary 3–0 Singles Csilla Cserepy 6–4, 6–2 (W)
Doubles(with Anne Hobbs) Cserepy/Szikszay 2–1, ret. (W)
W  Soviet Union 2–1 Singles Larisa Savchenko 6–4, 6–0 (W)
Doubles(with Anne Hobbs) Egorova/Parkhomenko 2–6, 1–6 (L)

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Annabel Croft

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Annabel Croft (born 12 July 1966) is an English former professional player and broadcaster. She began playing at age nine and turned professional in 1984, quickly rising to become the British No. 1 and achieving a career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 24 in December 1985. As a junior, Croft won the girls' singles titles at Wimbledon and the Australian Open in 1984, and on the professional circuit, she secured one WTA singles title at the 1985 of . She represented in international competitions, including the Federation Cup (1985–1987) and Wightman Cup (1983–1986), before retiring at age 21 in 1988 due to burnout. After her playing career, Croft transitioned into media, initially hosting popular television programs such as Channel 4's Treasure Hunt and ITV's Interceptor. She later became a respected tennis commentator and presenter, providing coverage for , , , and at major events including Wimbledon, the Australian Open, , and US Open. In 2023, she gained wider public attention by competing on the twenty-first series of BBC's , where she reached the semi-finals with partner . On a personal note, Croft was married to former international yachtsman Mel Coleman for 30 years until his death from stomach cancer in May 2023; the couple had three children—daughters Amber Rose (a yoga instructor) and Lily (an actress), and son Charlie (a musician). In 2025, she became a grandmother to Amber's son and celebrated Lily's engagement. Beyond media, she founded the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy in 2009 to promote the sport among young people and has advocated for natural health remedies, child obesity awareness, and cancer research support.

Early Life

Family Background and Upbringing

Annabel Croft was born on 12 July 1966 in Farnborough, Kent, . She is the middle child of three siblings, with an older brother named Simon, who is two years her senior, and a younger sister named Louisa, who is approximately four years younger. Her father, James Croft, was a who worked for Richard Ellis (now part of ) and had been educated at the independent Sutton Valence School in ; he also played at a club level. Croft's mother, Susan Templer from , was a homemaker; the couple married in June 1963 and raised their family in Bickley, . Croft spent her early childhood in the countryside, where the family home provided a rural environment that allowed her freedom to explore outdoors away from structured activities. She attended West Heath School, a fee-paying independent girls' school in , , during her formative years. Beyond academics, Croft developed an early interest in , benefiting from an inspiring teacher who selected her for demonstrations at the Royal Academy of Dance, fostering her discipline and performance skills in a non-sporting context. This creative pursuit, supported by her family's encouragement of artistic endeavors, contributed to her well-rounded development before her focus shifted to other activities.

Introduction to Tennis and Junior Success

Annabel Croft began playing at the age of nine in 1975, during a family holiday in , , where she took her first group lesson from a coach and immediately developed a passion for the sport. Upon returning home, her mother, a club-level player, supported her interest by enrolling her at a local club in Farnborough, , where Croft started regular lessons. This early encouragement from her family helped fuel her rapid progress, as she balanced school with frequent practice sessions. Croft's junior career quickly gained momentum, marked by her selection for national training programs after just three years of playing. By age 12, she had become the under-12s National Champion in Great Britain, and within that period, she secured national titles across three different age groups, establishing herself as a standout talent in the British junior ranks. Her development continued at facilities like Bisham Abbey, where she underwent intensive training, before moving to Houston, Texas, at age 15 for more advanced five-hour daily sessions focused on technical fundamentals such as forehands, backhands, volleys, and serves. The pinnacle of Croft's junior achievements came in 1984, when, at 17, she won the Wimbledon Girls' Singles title, defeating Elna Reinach in the final, and followed it later that year with the Australian Open Girls' Singles championship—making her the only British girl to claim two junior Grand Slam titles in the same calendar year since the events began in 1930. These victories propelled her through the competitive British junior circuit and positioned her for a professional transition.

Professional Tennis Career

WTA Tour Debut and Achievements

Following her successful junior career, which included winning the girls' singles titles at Wimbledon and the Australian Open in 1984, Annabel Croft turned professional that year at the age of 18, marking her entry into the WTA Tour. Her early professional matches showcased a promising baseline game and competitive spirit, quickly establishing her as a rising talent from Great Britain on the international circuit. Croft's breakthrough came in 1985 when she captured her first and only singles title at the of , defeating top-seeded Wendy Turnbull 6–0, 7–6(7–5) in the final. This victory, achieved as an unseeded player, propelled her into the spotlight and highlighted her ability to compete against experienced opponents on hard courts. The win contributed significantly to her career-high singles ranking of No. 24, achieved in December 1985. Throughout her career, Croft faced top-ranked players in notable encounters, including losses to , such as a 6–2, 6–0 defeat in the second round of the 1986 in . These matches, along with her competitive showings against —whom she met twice, including a straight-sets loss at the 1984 Wimbledon third round—elevated her profile as a formidable British contender, despite the challenges of facing the era's dominant figures. Croft did not reach any additional WTA singles finals, but her performances underscored her potential in the professional ranks. Her doubles career peaked at No. 126 in 1986, with four WTA doubles titles to her credit.

Grand Slam and Major Tournament Results

Annabel Croft's most notable achievements in Grand Slam singles tournaments came during the mid-1980s, when she reached the third round (round of 32) twice. At Wimbledon in 1984, she advanced to the third round as an unseeded player, defeating Petra Delhees-Jauch in the first round (6-3, 6-0) and Michelle Torres in the second (6-3, 2-6, 7-5), before falling to second-seeded 6-3, 6-4 in a competitive match against one of the era's top players. Similarly, at the 1986 US Open, Croft progressed to the third round, where she was defeated by 13th-seeded Stephanie Rehe. These represented her career-best performances in the majors, as she typically exited in the first or second round in other appearances, including the (best: second round in 1984 and 1985) and (best: second round in 1986). Key matches in Croft's Grand Slam career highlighted her potential against higher-ranked opponents, though she secured no major upsets over top seeds. Her third-round encounter with Evert at Wimbledon 1984 stood out for its intensity on grass, where Croft held serve effectively early but was outmaneuvered by Evert's baseline precision. At the 1986 US Open, Croft's run included straight-set victories in the opening rounds, showcasing her hard-court adaptability, before Rehe prevailed in the third. These performances underscored her brief peaks amid a career hampered by injuries. In doubles and mixed doubles, Croft participated in several Grand Slam events from 1982 to 1988 but did not reach the quarterfinals or beyond in any category. Her doubles efforts were modest, with early exits typical, such as first-round losses in most tournaments, reflecting her primary focus on singles. Mixed doubles appearances, including at Wimbledon and the in the mid-1980s, similarly ended in preliminary rounds without notable advancement. Overall, Croft compiled an 8-18 win-loss record in Grand Slam singles across 13 main draw appearances, demonstrating consistency in qualifying for majors but limited depth in the draw. Her doubles Grand Slam record remains unhighlighted in major archives, aligning with her career total of 13-36 in that discipline.

Rankings, Records, and Retirement

Annabel Croft reached her career-high WTA singles ranking of No. 24 on December 31, 1985, marking a significant achievement for British at the time. That same year, she ascended to British No. 1, becoming the first British woman to crack the WTA top 30 since 1977 and helping to elevate the profile of players on the international stage during a lean period for the sport domestically. Her ascent inspired renewed interest in British tennis, as she represented in the Fed Cup from 1985 to 1987, as well as the Wightman Cup from 1983 to 1986. Throughout her professional career from 1984 to 1988, Croft compiled a competitive record on the , securing one singles title at the 1985 Virginia Slims of and facing formidable opposition, including a 0–11 head-to-head mark against top-10 ranked players. These encounters highlighted her resilience against elite competition, even as she navigated the challenges of the professional circuit. Croft announced her retirement from professional in early at the age of 21, after reaching the world's top 25, primarily due to burnout from the relentless travel demands and a diminished passion for the sport. In subsequent interviews, she has reflected on the brevity of her career as a liberating choice, noting that she had lost her love for competing on the tour and felt unfulfilled by the lifestyle, ultimately viewing the decision as pivotal to her personal growth and transition to other pursuits.

Broadcasting and Media Career

Transition to Broadcasting

Following her retirement from professional tennis in 1988 at the age of 21, Annabel Croft immediately entered the world of television presenting, securing her first major role as the host of Channel 4's adventure game show Treasure Hunt, where she replaced starting with the 1989 series. This opportunity capitalized on her public profile as a former British No. 1 player, allowing her to adapt her on-court charisma to on-screen performance while navigating the demands of production. Croft's early media work also included hosting ITV's Interceptor in the early 1990s, further establishing her versatility in entertainment broadcasting. Adapting from the solitary intensity of professional to the collaborative and verbal nature of presented significant challenges for Croft, particularly her initial of , which she described as a major hurdle in shifting perspectives from player to analyst. To address this, she pursued specialized training, developing practical techniques such as jotting keyword notes connected by bubbles to organize thoughts and maintain flow during live segments. Her extensive professional experience— including reaching the world's top 25 and competing in major tournaments—served as a key credential, enabling her to authentically translate insider knowledge into engaging commentary without needing extensive external validation. Croft's transition to sports-specific broadcasting began shortly after her initial presenting roles, with early guest appearances as a tennis commentator for and ITV in the late and early , where she hosted tennis-related shows and provided analysis drawing directly from her playing career. These opportunities honed her ability to articulate strategies and player insights for audiences, bridging her athletic background with media demands. Her first major break arrived with regular involvement in Wimbledon coverage during the , culminating in her debut as a summariser for at the 2000 tournament, which solidified her position as a trusted voice in tennis broadcasting.

Key Roles and Contributions

Annabel Croft has served as a long-term commentator for the BBC's Wimbledon coverage since her debut as a summariser on in 2000, evolving into a key figure providing on-court interviews, expert analysis, and punditry during the tournament. Her role encompasses presenting and commentating on major matches, offering insights drawn from her professional playing experience to enhance viewer understanding of strategies and player dynamics. Beyond Wimbledon, Croft has been a radio presenter on , covering events including the 2012 Olympic competitions, and has contributed as a presenter and commentator for and across global tournaments. She has also hosted -related segments and awards events, leveraging her background to bridge on-court action with audience engagement. Croft's contributions to UK media include popularizing tennis, particularly women's events, through her accessible and knowledgeable commentary that has made the sport more relatable to broad audiences. As a former British No. 1 player, she has mentored emerging talents in sports broadcasting, such as guiding cyclist Lucy Garner in the Sky Academy Sports Scholars programme in 2014, fostering skills in media presentation and analysis. As of 2025, Croft continues her Wimbledon commentary for the , appearing in the official broadcast team for the , and has expanded into guest spots on podcasts, including discussions on her career with in March and in November.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Annabel Croft married Mel Coleman, a former professional yachtsman who had competed in the , in 1993 after meeting him during a yacht racing event in shortly before her retirement from professional . The couple shared an active and healthy lifestyle, with Coleman working as an investment banker alongside his sailing career. Together, they had three children: eldest daughter , born in 1994; son Charlie, born in 1996; and youngest daughter Lily, born in 1998. The family resided in a spacious home in , where Croft balanced her demanding broadcasting schedule with family responsibilities, often prioritizing time with her children during school holidays and maintaining a close-knit household. Her media career provided a stable foundation that supported their family life in the countryside near Wimbledon. Tragically, Coleman was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in early 2023 after experiencing persistent stomach pains, and he passed away 16 weeks later on at the age of 60. Croft announced his publicly, stating that her family was "completely heartbroken" and requesting privacy during their time of grief. In subsequent interviews, she has reflected on the profound shock of the sudden loss, given their previously vibrant and fitness-oriented life together, and described coping with daily waves of sorrow while drawing strength from her children's support and new opportunities like participating in to rediscover joy.

Recent Personal Milestones and Interests

In September 2025, Annabel Croft became a grandmother for the first time at the age of 59, when her daughter Amber, aged 31, gave birth to a baby boy named Arlo William Melvyn Llewellyn on September 16. Croft shared her joy on social media, describing herself as "Grannabel" and expressing that she was "besotted" with the newborn, marking a joyful milestone two years after the death of her husband, Mel Coleman. In September 2025, Croft's youngest daughter Lily announced her engagement to Felix McCorquodale. Croft later learned that Coleman had given his blessing to the couple before his death, with McCorquodale recalling Coleman's words: "You definitely have my permission to marry Lily." The wedding is forthcoming as of 2025. Throughout 2025, Croft navigated significant personal changes following her widowhood by downsizing from the six-bedroom family home in that she had shared with Coleman for over two decades. She described the process as emotionally challenging but necessary, noting that the large property felt too empty and maintenance-heavy for her current needs, leading her to reduce the asking price by £1.2 million in April to facilitate the sale. This move reflected her adaptation to a simpler amid ongoing . Croft's personal interests include maintaining fitness routines, such as group training sessions that she credits for providing social and physical benefits, and gardening activities like , which she has shared publicly as part of her wellness pursuits. She remains actively involved in coaching players through the Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, offering camps and programs for children aged 4-16 that emphasize movement, repetition, and fun to encourage lifelong participation in the sport. Additionally, tied to her husband's battle with colon cancer, Croft supports cancer awareness efforts, including her longstanding patronage of the children's cancer charity (formerly CLIC Sargent), and uses interviews to highlight the importance of early detection and dietary impacts on the disease. In several 2025 interviews, Croft openly addressed her single life post-widowhood, revealing she is not ready for a new relationship and stating, "I wouldn't mind if it was never," while emphasizing her focus on family and personal healing rather than dating.

Career Statistics

WTA Career Finals

Annabel Croft reached one WTA Tour singles final during her career, securing her sole title at the 1985 Virginia Slims of San Diego. This $75,000 hard-court event, held from April 22 to 28 at the San Diego Hilton Beach & Tennis Resort, marked Croft's breakthrough as an unseeded player ranked No. 83 in the world. In the final, she delivered a stunning upset over top-seeded Wendy Turnbull, who was ranked in the top 10 and had reached a career-high No. 3 earlier that year, winning 6–0, 7–6(7–5) in a match that showcased Croft's aggressive baseline play and Turnbull's uncharacteristic errors under pressure. The victory, Croft's first on the professional circuit, propelled her into the spotlight and contributed to her career-high ranking of No. 24 by December 1985. Croft did not reach any WTA Tour doubles finals during her career. With a single final appearance and one victory, Croft's win percentage in WTA finals stands at 100%.

Grand Slam Performance Timelines

Annabel Croft competed in Grand Slam tournaments primarily between 1982 and 1988, achieving her strongest singles results in the third round at Wimbledon in 1984 and the US Open in 1986. Her overall singles Grand Slam record stood at 10 wins and 16 losses.

Singles

YearAustralian OpenFrench OpenWimbledonUS Open
19881RAAA
1987A1R2R2R
1986A2R1R3R
19852R1R1R2R
19842R1R3R1R
1983AA1R1R
1982AA1RA
In doubles, Croft reached the third round at Wimbledon in 1984 (partnered with Paula Smith) and the US Open in 1986 (partnered with Anne Hobbs). Known partners in other events included Regina Marsikova at Wimbledon 1987 and Susan Mascarin at the 1987. Her doubles Grand Slam record was 8 wins and 17 losses.

Doubles

YearAustralian OpenFrench OpenWimbledonUS Open
1988AAAA
1987A2R2R2R
1986A1R1R3R
19851R1R1R2R
19841R1R3R1R
1983AA1R1R
1982AA1RA
Croft participated in mixed doubles mainly with her coach , reaching the third round at Wimbledon in and the US Open in . She also competed in other mixed events, including the second round at Wimbledon in 1987.

Mixed Doubles

YearAustralian OpenFrench OpenWimbledonUS Open
19881RAAA
1987A2R3R2R
1986A1R3R3R
19852RA1R1R
19841RA1R1R
1983AA1RA
1982AAAA

National Team Participation

Annabel Croft represented in the Fed Cup from 1985 to 1986, serving as a key player during a period when the British team was working to elevate its standing in international . As the nation's top-ranked female player at the time, her selection underscored her role in bolstering the team's competitiveness in qualification and main draw ties. Croft's involvement helped the team navigate challenging matches against stronger opponents, contributing to improved performances in the mid-1980s. Her overall Fed Cup record stood at 9 wins and 2 losses across her appearances (6–1 in singles, 3–1 in doubles), highlighting her reliability in team settings and her impact on elevating British on the global stage during the 1980s. Her performances in high-pressure international ties not only aided qualification efforts but also inspired subsequent generations of British players. In 1986, Croft contributed to Great Britain's World Group campaign. In the first round, she defeated Finland's Petra Thorén 6–4, 3–6, 6–4 in singles and, partnering Anne Hobbs, won the doubles 6–0, 6–1 against Maija Suonpää and Thorén. Great Britain lost 0–3 in the quarterfinals to , with Croft falling to Suzanna Wibowo 1–6, 4–6 in singles and the doubles pair losing 5–7, 3–6. In the 5–8 playoffs, they defeated 2–1 in the quarterfinals (Croft def. Katalin Nagy 6–0, 6–1; doubles loss 2–6, 1–6 to Eva Kocsis/Nagy) but lost 0–3 to the in the semifinals (Croft lost to Natalia Zvereva 3–6, 4–6; doubles loss 2–6, 4–6 to Larisa Savchenko/Zvereva). Croft also represented in the Wightman Cup from 1983 to 1986, competing against the in this annual team competition.

References

  1. https://www.smoothradio.com/news/entertainment/annabel-croft-age-husband-children-tennis/
  2. https://www.wtatennis.com/players/30054/annabel-croft
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  4. https://www.annabelcroft.com/biography/
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  6. https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/863800/annabel-croft-delights-fans-announces-joyous-family-news/
  7. https://www.tatler.com/article/annabel-croft-daughter-lily-saffron-coleman-engagement
  8. https://sheerluxe.com/chapters-my-life-annabel-croft
  9. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/annabel-croft-husband-strictly-2023-b2453442.html
  10. https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/celebrity/article/annabel-croft-interview-grandma-announcement-krq59pz0n
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  13. https://www.thetennisgazette.com/features/she-is-the-two-time-junior-grand-slam-champion-who-retired-from-tennis-at-just-21-years-old/
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  23. https://assets.wimbledon.com/archive/draws/pdfs/players/513305cb-fbb0-41c1-9542-5034f62441a2_LS.pdf
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  30. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/wimbledon_2001/the_bbc_team/1384786.stm
  31. https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/other-sport/tennis/bbcs-annabel-croft-suffered-traumatic-32048342
  32. https://www.express.co.uk/sport/tennis/2078074/annabel-croft-bbc-wimbledon-tennis-husband
  33. https://greatbritishvoices.co.uk/talents/annabel-croft-tennis-player/
  34. https://www.annabelcroftholidays.com/annabel-croft/
  35. https://www.gordonpoole.com/talent/annabel-croft/
  36. https://thewitham.org.uk/event/annabel-croft-from-tennis-balls-to-glitter-balls/
  37. https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/news/11061/9186849/mentors-revealed
  38. https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/wimbledon-2025
  39. https://podcasts.apple.com/ai/podcast/annabel-croft/id1527545442?i=1000699734123
  40. https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/annabel-croft/id653514061?i=1000734821637
  41. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/8221078/wimbledon-legends-husband-dies-cancer/
  42. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12406957/Annabel-Croft-reveals-late-husband-Mel-Coleman-huge-fan-Strictly-Come-Dancing-signs-forthcoming-series.html
  43. https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/annabel-croft-58-shares-exciting-35435537
  44. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11447297/Tennis-ace-Annabel-Croft-puts-6-75million-Surrey-mansion-sale.html
  45. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/london-magazine/annabel-croft-home/
  46. https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/bbc-strictlys-annabel-croft-reveals-31698415
  47. https://www.tatler.com/article/annabel-croft-becomes-a-grandmother
  48. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15159493/Annabel-Croft-59-grandmother-time-daughter-Amber-31-gives-birth-baby-boy-two-years-tragic-death-beloved-husband.html
  49. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-15256257/Annabel-Croft-late-husband-Mel-Coleman-blessing-daughter-Lilys-forthcoming-wedding.html
  50. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/06/15/annabel-croft-new-partner/
  51. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14624863/Annabel-Croft-price-Surrey-home-husband-death.html
  52. https://www.thesun.co.uk/fabulous/35539741/annabel-croft-tennis-champ-needs-less/
  53. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGDpGgfyIlu/
  54. https://www.annabelcrofttennis.com/
  55. https://www.annabelcrofttennis.com/index.php/general/about-annabel-croft-tennis/
  56. https://www.the-sun.com/sport/8812353/annabel-croft-wimbledon-presenter-bbc-british-number-one/
  57. https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/celebrity/article/annabel-croft-interview-dating-grief-times-swoty-xvbp9x3pc
  58. https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/celebs-tv/strictlys-annabel-croft-shares-five-10286148
  59. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-05-sp-845-story.html
  60. https://www.tennis-x.com/grand-slam-record/annabel-croft.php
  61. https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/annabel-croft/800178025/gbr/wt/d/activity/
  62. https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/annabel-croft/800178025/gbr/wt/mx/activity/
  63. https://www.thetimes.com/sport/tennis/article/annabel-croft-mixed-doubles-used-to-reflect-who-you-fancied-now-it-is-taken-more-seriously-zlpn5v00r
  64. https://www.db4tennis.com/players/female/annabel-croft
  65. https://www.tennisworldusa.org/topic/165/annabel-croft/
  66. https://www.billiejeankingcup.com/en/players/1807cc2e-83bd-44b5-9c0a-f12eecf21825
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