How Annabel Croft won Wimbledon hearts weeks after her husband's death
Annabel Croft’s path to Wimbledon royalty: Elegant ex British number 1 player, 57, who retired at 21 to host Treasure Hunt, wins hearts again after hiding grief for late husband to host SW19 winners’ ceremonies
- One-time British number one has won legions of fans at this year’s tournament after taking centre stage as a broadcaster despite losing her husband in May
- Read more: Why did the BBC not give Clare Balding the traditional Sue Barker role of interviewing Carlos Alcaraz on Centre Court?
Former British women’s number one tennis player Annabel Croft has been a staple in the BBC’s Wimbledon commentary box since she swapped her racket for a microphone at the age of just 21.
However, her bravery this year in continuing to present at SW19 just weeks after the death of her husband Mel Coleman from cancer have won the broadcaster a legion of new fans.
Long considered tennis royalty, Croft, 57, watched the two finals on Centre Court this weekend in esteemed company. On Sunday, the mother-of-three saw the men’s final sat beside US tennis legend Chris Evert – who won 18 major titles – and in front of the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte.
At the end of each finals match, the British former number one effortlessly also interviewed the winners and losers, and then compered the handing over of the Venus Rosewater Dish to Czech player Marketa Vondrousova and the men’s gold cup to Carloz Alcaraz by the Princess of Wales.
Annabel Croft has been part of the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage for decades and this year interviewed the finalists on Centre Court – with fans praising the broadcaster, 57, for continuing to work while grieving for her husband of more than 30 years Mel Coleman, who died in May
The former top 25 player pictured watching the Men’s final at Wimbledon on Sunday in regal company, with Chris Evert, the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte all close by
A teenage Annabel Croft; the former British player won junior Wimbledon and Australian Open tournaments in 1984…but didn’t enjoy the challenges of going pro
This year’s main tennis presenter, Clare Balding, who took over from Sue Barker, who retired in 2022, surprisingly didn’t conduct the post-match interviews, as has been a tradition with Sue Barker in recent decades.
On social media, tennis fans have expressed support for Croft, who many had expected not to work at this year’s tournament following the death in late May of her Coleman, who died aged 60 just weeks after his diagnosis of stage three cancer.
Here, FEMAIL looks at Croft’s tennis playing career, her impressive Wimbledon wardrobe and how she became the Queen of this year’s coverage from SW19…
Grief: Who was Annabel Croft’s late husband Mel Coleman, how long were they married and did they have children?
Croft announced the sudden death of her husband Mel Coleman, who she first started dating in the late 80s and wed in 1992, in May, telling fans that the former professional yachtsman had died just eight weeks after a stage three cancer diagnosis.
Croft married former professional yachtsman Mel Coleman in 1992 after meeting him in the late 80s on a yacht trip to Guernsey. Pictured together in 2021
Coleman died aged 60, weeks after complaining of stomach pain. A successful investment banker who took part in the America’s Cup and more recently ran a tennis school and holiday camp with Croft, enjoyed an active outdoors lifestyle before his death.
After Covid lockdowns, the couple had converted an old delivery van into a mobile home and took it around the country and into Europe on walking holidays.
At the time of his death, Croft said: ‘My beloved husband Mel passed away peacefully on Wednesday morning after a short battle with cancer. My family and I are completely heartbroken and ask for privacy at this very sad time.’
Earlier this year Ms Croft, a former British number one, recalled that her path crossed with Mr Coleman’s quite by chance when she was at a crisis point.
Around eight weeks ago after complaining of stomach pain, Mr Coleman was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. He died in May 2023, aged 60. Pictured together in 1996
Mr Coleman, a successful investment banker who took part in the America’s Cup and more recently ran a tennis school with his wife, was noted for his apparently perfect health and, like Ms Croft, enjoyed an active outdoors lifestyle. Pictured when they were engaged
Aged 21, she was at the US Open having a pep talk from fellow player John Newcombe, who suggested that she should think about what she wanted to do with her life as she seemed unhappy. She had been on the tennis tour for nearly six years and was lonely, stressed and lost by the demands of incessantly competing.
‘As we were having this chat, I got a text from my mother saying the BBC production office in Belfast were asking whether I’d be interested in filming a programme about yacht racing.
‘I’d never been on a yacht before, but it ended up with me, Eamonn Holmes and Peter Skellern going off to Guernsey to shoot a programme where we learnt how to race a yacht.
‘Mel, who had just got back from Australia after the America’s Cup, was one of the yachtsmen and that is how we met.
They have three grown-up children Charlie, Amber and Lily. Pictured on the site where their new home was being built in 2004 in Coombe, near Wimbledon
Support: Croft pictured with her two grown-up daughters, left, Amber, and right, Lily. She also shares a son with late husband Coleman, Charlie
‘After a day’s filming we’d all go to the pub, have dinner – it sounds weird, but I’d never really done that – and I remember thinking, gosh this is really fun and normal, and I want a bit more of this rather than getting up and putting on a tracksuit and stressing about whether my backhand is working today.’
They married six years later. The couple had three grown-up children together, Amber, who runs a yoga school, son Charlie and youngest daughter Lily. The family lives in Coombe, Surrey, near to Wimbledon.
On court: How Croft rose to enter the world’s top 25 and became British number one – but retired to host Treasure Hunt at just 21
Aged 21, she was at the US Open having a pep talk from fellow player John Newcombe, who suggested that she should think about what she wanted to do with her life as she seemed unhappy. Pictured: In action at the Eastbourne International tennis tournament at Devonshire Park, 1985
Ms Croft has long been a fixture in the BBC’s Wimbledon coverage and also covers tennis tournaments around the world. The family lives in Coombe, Surrey, near to Wimbledon. Pictured in 1987
Earlier this year Ms Croft, a former British number one, recalled that her path crossed with Mr Coleman’s quite by chance when she was at a crisis point. Pictured: At Wimbledon in 1987
Hailed as a teenage tennis prodigy, Croft won nearly £200,000 in prize money during her short career.
Born in Farnborough in Kent, the hopes of a nation without a major British tennis star in some time were pinned on Croft’s young shoulders during the mid Eighties.
The star won the junior Wimbledon and Australian Open tournaments in 1984 but could not repeat her success at senior level and quit the sport in 1988 aged 21 – having picked up just one pro title, the Virginia Slims in San Diego in 1985.
Aged 21, she was at the US Open having a pep talk from fellow player John Newcombe, who suggested that she should think about what she wanted to do with her life as she seemed unhappy
Career change: Croft replaces Anneka Rice in 1988 on Channel 4 gameshow Treasure Hunt
The lure of a career in television proved too tempting, with Croft already tired of the relentless travel and pressures of the women’s tennis tour.
When long-time presenter Anneka Rice announced she was taking a break to have a baby, Croft replaced her in 1988, and ran for just one more year.
Tennis has remained at the fore of Croft’s career since, with a tennis holiday company – offering tuition breaks in balmy locations such as Greece and Portugal – continuing to run.
However, it’s her annual appearances at Wimbledon for which Croft continues to be most well known.
Wimbledon wardrobe: How the broadcaster perfectly nails SW19’s sporting style
Stylish set: The 57-year-old broadcaster pictured on court on day five with Aryna Sabalenka; Croft has looked elegant in designer trainers and beautiful dresses at the tournament
Confidence: The commentator perfectly conquered Wimbledon fashion – wearing a wardrobe that consisted of beautiful dresses, casual tees and designer sneakers
And on finals day, the broadcaster opted for a pretty Wimbledon white dress with ruffle detail on the sleeves, wearing her highlighted tresses loose
Following the 2023 tournament, Wimbledon fans have expressed their admiration for Croft on social media, calling for her to become a major player in the BBC’s future Wimbledon team – currently headed by Clare Balding following Sue Barker’s retirement.
The elegant star certainly looks at home on the biggest show courts. The last two weeks have seen a carousel of different outfits, all perfectly capturing the tone of The All England Club.
Pictured in 2022, Croft has become known for her elegance off-court in recent decades
On court interviewing Aryna Sabalenka on day five, the willowy 57-year-old donned a white linen dress with a tie detail just above the knee.
It’s a dress she’s worn in different colours – including a bold orange – during the tennis tournament.
Then there’s the footwear, Croft has stuck to the brief of a white tennis shoe…but made it a £640 Gucci sneaker with a chunky sole and worker bee motif.
And on finals day, the broadcaster opted for a pretty Wimbledon white dress with ruffle detail on the sleeves, wearing her highlighted tresses loose and the same Gucci footwear.
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