Celebrity

Annabel Croft Net Worth

Annabel Croft switched from being a tennis player to a media personality.

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Former British professional tennis player turned broadcaster Annabel Croft has enjoyed success in multiple careers. Originally a rising star in tennis, she won the WTA Virginia Slims of San Diego tournament. She represented Great Britain in international team competitions. 

After retiring from tennis in the 1990s, Croft transitioned into television, presenting and appearing on popular shows like Treasure Hunt

More recently, the 57-year-old has established herself as a presenter and commentator for major sports networks like Eurosport, Sky Sports, and the BBC. In addition to her broadcasting work, she participates in reality TV shows like Celebrity Wrestling. 

With her wide-ranging media career of over 25 years, Croft has amassed significant wealth; today, we estimate and examine her current net worth.

Annabel Croft’s net worth and tennis career

Croft amassed a net worth of 5 million dollars through her successful careers as a professional tennis player and broadcaster. 

Though she retired from tennis at 21, she made a name for herself as the 1985 WTA San Diego champion and a fixture in Fed Cup and Wightman Cup play for Great Britain. At her peak in 1985, Croft was ranked 24th in the world. 

While she chose to step back from the demanding tennis circuit at a young age, her playing style and charismatic demeanor made her a fan favorite. She leveraged that popularity into a second career in television and media. 

Annabel Croft with the coaching team at the Pine Cliffs Resort (Source: Facebook)

Serving as a presenter for various shows like Treasure Hunt and as a tennis commentator for major networks like the BBC and Sky Sports, she has remained a household name in the UK for over two decades. 

Now 57 years old, Croft has parlayed her successes in tennis and broadcasting into a multi-million dollar net worth. 

Though she stepped back from professional tennis prematurely at 21, her playing talent, personal charm, and savvy career transitions have allowed Annabel Croft to accrue significant wealth over the years.

Annabel Croft’s career after tennis

As mentioned, After retiring from professional tennis at age 21, Croft embarked on a very successful career in broadcasting and media.

She immediately leveraged her fame and personality to land presenting roles on popular British shows like Treasure Hunt and Interceptor in the 1990s. 

She also starred in an award-winning BBC documentary about homelessness. She hosted her travel/cooking series called The Flying Picnic. 

Beyond TV hosting, she has become a ubiquitous tennis broadcaster, serving as a commentator and correspondent for the BBC, Radio 5 Live, Eurosport, and Sky Sports’ coverage of all the major events like Wimbledon and the French Open. 

Annabel Croft following the on-court interview in the women’s singles final at Wimbledon (Source: Wales Online)

Her tennis expertise and insights are widely praised, with former football manager Jose Mourinho even calling her his favorite female sports pundit.

Over two decades of broadcasting, the portfolio has stayed involved in tennis through partnerships with organizations like the LTA. 

She runs a popular tennis academy, Annabel Croft Tennis Academy, at the National Tennis Centre, which coaches hundreds of children weekly. Croft also launched a complementary tennis-focused travel business called Annabel Croft Holidays.

Now, the former player stays active as a mother of three and promotes healthy lifestyles through activities like jogging, yoga, and tennis. 

Though her professional playing days were short-lived, Croft has remained a beloved household name in British sports and culture over the past 25+ years through her prolific and diverse media career.

Annabel Croft in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’

Croft competed in the 2023 season of the popular BBC dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing. Paired with professional dancer Johannes Radebe, she impressed judges and viewers alike with her steady improvement and performances as the weeks progressed.

Croft and Radebe scored consistently well, receiving mostly 7s and 8s early on before breaking into the 9s and even one perfect ten score for their dramatic Week 10 paso doble. 

One of their most memorable dances was a Couple’s Choice routine set to ‘Wings’ by Birdy. Croft paid tribute to her late husband, who had passed away from cancer earlier that year. 

Croft and Radebe made it to the semi-finals after 11 weeks of competition. When asked about joining Strictly, she remarked that she was excited to swap her usual tennis balls for glitter balls and find some joyfulness through dance. 

Having won a celebrity wrestling competition in 2005, the former tennis star was no stranger to pushing beyond her comfort zone. 

Ultimately, Croft’s journey on Strictly Come Dancing 2023 allowed her to show a completely different side of herself to new audiences.

Croft charmed viewers each week by embracing the experience rather than focusing on the competition with her positivity and Improving technique alongside partner Johannes Radebe.

Annabel Croft in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Live UK Tour 2024

Croft, who dazzled audiences with her journey on Strictly Come Dancing’s 2023 series, will be continuing her dance experience by joining the show’s live arena tour in 2024. 

She will be paired with a new professional tour partner, Graziano Di Prima, rather than her TV partner, Johannes Radebe. 

Croft remarked on her tour inclusion, “I’m used to interviewing people in front of very large crowds, but to dance in arenas for many thousands of people is going to be something else.” 

After thriving for 11 weeks in the TV competition, she is excited to bring her improving technique and crowd-pleasing spirit to 30 tour shows around the UK.

Annabel Croft on stage in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ (Source: The Mirror)

Kicking off on January 19th in Birmingham, Croft will join seven other celebrity contestants from the latest Strictly season, including actor Bobby Brazier and journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy. 

Legendary judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, and Craig Revel Horwood will also appear on tour. At each show, the arena audience ultimately decides the Glitterball Trophy winner via text vote.

With the tour featuring British Sign Language interpreters and seating to accommodate differently abled fans, Croft hopes to continue spreading joy and showcasing her growth as a dancer to as many people as possible. 

After the life-changing experience of starring in Strictly Come Dancing’s 2023 series, Croft is set to sparkle across UK arenas this winter on the 2024 live tour.

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