‘Engaging with my kids’ friends helps keep me young’
Tennis legend Annabel Croft talks about her healthy approach to life, how she stays looking so youthful at 55, and what to expect from Emma Raducanu at this year’s Wimbledon
When social media goes into a frenzy over Wimbledon, you expect it to be about tennis. But last year, fans were paying tribute to Annabel Croft’s ageless good looks. It may be decades since she took Wimbledon’s girls’ singles tennis title in 1984, but at 55 she is such a picture of vibrant health it’s hard to believe she and her yachtsman husband Mel Coleman have three adult children.
When we meet, she’d just been knocking a few balls about at Wimbledon where she bumped into 19-year-old tennis star Emma Raducanu.
Here, Annabel talks about her love of yoga and heading into the wild in her postal truck turned camper van…
Hi, Annabel. Are you looking forward to Wimbledon getting started?
I always love it. It just feels like a part of our summer. It’s a bit like when you watch the Olympics and find yourself staying up late to see all these amazing matches. There was one year during the pandemic when Wimbledon didn’t happen and the start of summer just felt a bit flat as a result.
What’s the secret of your “eternal” youth?
Well I do love running. I go about three or four times a week, running between five and seven kilometres. It’s lovely, because I’ve known this bunch of mums for about 20 years and it works really well. I know there will always be people at the park at certain times and we all go for a coffee afterwards.
You love yoga, too…
Yes, I really enjoy yoga. It takes me back to my early years of ballet and makes me feel more supple. I do think it’s being supple that keeps me young. With tennis I can get more stiff. I try about twice a week to play, but it’s a more stressful game, and if I do a six-week bank of commentary I won’t go at all. So it’s quite intermittent.
What’s your diet like?
I try to eat what I call “real food” – so food as close to nature as possible. I love eggs for breakfast. For lunch, I’ll often have vegetable soups, which I make a lot of. I love meat and fish and vegetables and a perfect meal for my husband and I would be a barbecue with lots of lovely, healthy vegetables.
What about the carbs?
I try not to eat carbohydrates and fats in the same meal. There’s this line of thought that a high-fat diet is OK, which is the opposite of what most of us are told, but it’s when you add the carbohydrates in with that the weight goes on. I am not perfect, though – I do indulge in a spaghetti bolognese sometimes.
How will you celebrate turning 56 next month?
Probably at a nice Italian restaurant with family. But it’s also my husband’s 60th on 8 July. We can’t really celebrate during Wimbledon, with my work, but we have talked about trying to do a trip to India as we’ve never been and really would love to.
Your children are now in their twenties. What is most rewarding about having raised a family?
Engaging with them and their young friends keeps me young, too. We had a barbecue in the park and they brought their friends. I just love hearing their take on things and how they view the world at that age. I think that seeing how they are and having those wonderful conversations is the real reward for all the hard work you put in when they are young. Because it is so tough bringing up kids. Finally, after 20 years or so, you come out the end of that tunnel and the reward you get back from seeing how they are is just amazing. I love spending time with them.
You’ve had a big challenge this year – refurbishing a van. Has that enriched your life?
It has been so positive. I had a job in Wales, so we took the van there and we’d walk somewhere completely remote. It’s got solar panels for power, so we can go off-grid. It feels so freeing after the pandemic. We love walking and being with wildlife. It actually brings me back to my Treasure Hunt days. [Annabel worked on the show in 1989.]
How so?
Well, I think it was a successful show because it brought a part of the UK into people’s sitting rooms. When I do these van trips it reminds me why the country is so wonderful.
We’ll all be rooting for Emma Raducanu at Wimbledon. How do you think she will fare?
She’s not winning everything she plays, but she’s had a lot of three-set clashes where she’s come out on top. She’s on good form. I think she will do well as long as she gets a good draw.
Last year, she left a match early at Wimbledon because of breathing problems. You understand the pressures. Have you spoken to her?
I actually saw her and said good luck.
I was practising at Wimbledon – I like to have a knock around – and I was on the court next to her while she was training. She doesn’t need my advice. She is really well prepared. You need to bend your knees and drive with power from your legs and she does that very well.
Do you think she is dealing well with the world’s spotlight on her?
Yes, I think she’s coping very well. She’s a big match player, very well suited to Wimbledon. Even though there’s this target on her back now whenever she plays – and by that I mean there are a lot of players who will want to beat her. She’s got a real aura about her and is very focused. I don’t get the impression she will take her eye off the ball in training.
Who is likely to be her biggest rival?
Iga Swiatek, the 21-year-old from Poland, who is the women’s world No1 and has just won the French Open. And Coco Gauff, who played her in that final. Ons Jabeur, who is from Tunisia, was a quarter-finalist at Wimbledon last year. She played the most amazing match on centre court, and is one to watch. And Elena Rybakina has one of the biggest serves and beat Serena Williams at the French Open last year.
“I always love Wimbledon. It’s such an essential part of summer”
Who are going to be the star men’s players this year?
Well, of course, Novak Djokovic, who has been world No1. And I think Carlos Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spanish player, is the new kid to watch. He has won about four titles and has beaten Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. He’s like a hybrid of all the best players you’ve ever seen. I think he’s going to be a big star at Wimbledon. Then there’s the Canadian, Félix Augeraliassime, who is working with Nadal’s uncle and coach, Toni. He’s made a lot of progress and has this beautiful, athletic game. I’d also rate Croatia’s Marin Cilic. He’s a former finalist and has won Queen’s [Club Championships] twice and is playing really well.
Could Emma win the Wimbledon women’s title?
I think it is possible, but I also think you could say that about 10 players this year. There is so much pressure on her, but she is coping very well. Let’s see.