Croft Original

As a former tennis champ, and now a successful TV presenter, Annabel knows a thing or two about how to look after herself. But now, her main focus is making sure her three children are fit and healthy. Children's fitness, it turns out, is a big deal for Annabel.

''Kids shouldn't be overweight,'' she says. ''Our perception of what a healthy child looks like has shifted. When we look at children now we're too frightened to say to any of them, 'You're actually a little bit tubby'.

''We look at kids who would be considered overweight medically and we're saying, 'That's healthy' and the ones with the skinny ribs we're saying, 'Oh that's a skinny child' when, in fact, it's a very fit, healthy child.

''If kids are eating packets of crisps, chicken nuggets, pizzas, chips and rubbish food, their hearts and lungs and the diabetes they potentially might have is shocking. I really want to do something about it. I've written to supermarkets and tried to get campaigns going but it's hard. You're trying to change parents' attitudes - it's about what's put on the table for kids.

''Mine have actually been sick on burgery-type food. It just doesn't suit them. I'm amazed how many parents don't think about what they're actually giving their kids.

''When you have a child, what you feed them is making them grow and helping their brains develop. Why would you not buy the best ingredients you can and give that to your child?''

It's clearly a subject she feels passionate about. But sport's also high on Annabel's agenda, and she admits she would have been disappointed if her kids hadn't shown an active interest.

But she has no worries on that score. Charlie, eight, is happiest when he's kicking a ball about, while Lily, five, is obsessed with gym - she's busy cartwheeling about in her bedroom during the interview. Ten-year-old Amber looks like she may follow in her mum's footsteps and is competing in her first tennis tournaments this summer.

Annabel retired from the tennis circuit at the age of 21 and has made no secret of her unhappiness at the end of her career because of the constant travelling. But she says she has no qualms about her offspring taking up sport professionally.

''It's weird having children who are almost the age when I started getting into tennis. I'm encouraging all of them to get into sport, whichever one they feel most passion for. If one of them wants to do tennis, I would definitely encourage it. It's a great way to see the world. And competition is good at an early age because you're going to get that whatever you do in life.

''I have no regrets even though I had some soul-searching times. I look back and think life is all about experiences and what you tell your grandchildren. I went all over the world and lived among so many cultures. If one of my kids could do that through their sport, that would be fantastic.''

For Annabel, putting down the racquet meant she could enjoy her romance with Mel Coleman. I'd had lots of dates with tennis players, swimmers and people I'd met along the way. Mel was the first man that I met that I really fell in love with. We spent a week making this programme about sailing in Guernsey with Eamonn Holmes. That was 1987 and we've been inseparable ever since.

''I met him at about the time when I was completely undecided whether I wanted to play any more. But I was so head over the heels in love that the thought of going off travelling for ten weeks wasn't very appealing. He brought a lot of happiness into my life.''

The pair have been married for 10 years and Mel, 41, a pro-yachtsman turned banker, is clearly her perfect match. ''Sport is his absolute passion - football, tennis, rugby, cricket, sailing. I think he's got a healthy attitude towards it as well. He's much more laid-back than me - I think he's a good balance for the kids.''

Annabel says she's much happier since she retired and hasn't regretted it for a second. She's lost weight and is two stone lighter than in her touring days.

''If I was doing the amount of training now that I was doing then, I probably would get bigger. My shoulders were wide and legs were strong. It's quite hard to shift that kind of weight and go back to your normal frame while you're still training.

''I tried fad diets like high carbohydrates, pasta diets and those silly drinks things which are the worst thing in the world. I don't believe in diets at all. Eating is a pleasure that should be enjoyed for the rest of our lives. I'm into fitness, and I can eat what I want to and do it healthily - you feel like you can conquer the world.''

These days, Annabel keeps fit by running three or four times a week. Tennis remains a huge part of her life and she still plays 'to keep her eye in'.

She's still hugely involved with Wimbledon - she'll be presenting this year's coverage on GMTV and BBC throughout the next two weeks.

''I still get the same jittery feelings when I walk through the gates during the first few days of the championships,'' says Annabel. ''I just feel it and then remember I'm not playing - it's weird. I much prefer it from the side that I'm on. It's a passionate place and very emotional - it's such an amazing thing to win in your career.

But Wimbledon's not her only link to tennis. Annabel's also the face of the Kia National Club League.

''It's an event that will run throughout the summer and finish about September time to find the best club in the country,'' she explains.

''Tennis is a community sport and it's nice to be involved at that level, getting residents behind their players.''

She'll also be presenting the French Open in Paris for Australian TV and is off to Buenos Aires for a week to take part in a US TV show, Fear Factor. ''It's a bit like I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! with its hideous challenges and I'm not sure why I've agreed to it,'' she laughs.

''Since I've had the kids I'm much more of a chicken in terms of putting myself in dangerous situations. I keep thinking, 'Will I have to put my head in a bag of bugs or eat something absolutely revolting?'.''

Any other spare moments will be occupied keeping tabs on the house she and Mel are having built near Kingston in Surrey, and taking the children off to Portugal for a sporting month during the holidays.

''I'm someone who has enormous amounts of energy and never stops. For me to be sitting here on the sofa chatting is quite unusual.''

l The KIA National Club League is organised in conjunction with the LTA. Over 800 teams are taking part in over 40 counties. The national play-offs are scheduled for July 10, and the finals will be held in Bournemouth on Sept 3-5. For information call 020 8946 9374

l Full coverage of Wimbledon starts on Monday in The Northern Ech