Annabel Croft, the former British tennis star and BBC host, will return to Wimbledon coverage in 2026, but remains candid about her personal life following the death of her husband, Mel Coleman, in May 2023. Croft, 59, has spoken openly about her grief and her reluctance to re-enter the dating world, despite her growing media presence.
Grief and Dating After Husband's Death
Three years after Coleman's passing from stomach cancer, Croft has admitted she still feels unprepared for romance. In a 2024 interview with The Sun's Fabulous magazine, she described traumatic flashbacks of her husband's final hours. "He started listing instructions like, 'Change the tyre on the van' and then saying to the children, 'Sorry I can't be there for your weddings,'" she recalled. "That memory breaks my heart."
Croft told The Times in 2024 that she was not ready to date, despite receiving dinner invitations. "I've had people asking for dinner dates. I'm, like, 'You have no idea!' I'm not anywhere close to that. It gives me the heebies to think about it," she said. She added that while she doesn't want to feel "doom and gloom" forever, she remains focused on living in the moment, like a sportsman.
Reinforcing Her Stance on Romance
In a later interview with Hello! magazine, Croft reiterated her position: "I don't even consider it. It's not something I'm thinking about at all. I'm not in that headspace – it's way too soon." She has also stated she does not want to be a "professional widow" but emphasized that stepping back into romance is not on her agenda.
Net Worth and Career Earnings
Croft's financial portfolio is largely built on her broadcasting career, with an estimated net worth of £1.2 million. Her on-court earnings were modest: after winning the Wimbledon and Australian Open girls' titles in 1984, she turned professional and accumulated around $200,000 (approximately £155,000) in prize money before retiring in 1988.
Her media career spans nearly 40 years, including presenting roles on various channels. She also launched a fitness video, 'Annabel Croft's Shape Tape', in 1990. Additionally, her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023, where she reached fourth place, earned her an estimated £60,000: a basic fee of £25,000 plus a £35,000 bonus for her performance.
