Latest news with #AnnabelCroft


Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Another Strictly star has phone stolen in London as it travels across the globe
A third Strictly Come Dancing star had their phone stolen while out in central London. In a post shared online, they revealed their phone ended up across the globe Yet another Strictly Come Dancing star was robbed in London as they revealed where their phone ended up. Earlier this month, both Annabel Croft and Michelle Tsiakkas revealed to fans their phones were stolen while out in the city as they issued warnings to their Instagram followers. Michelle, 29, told fans having her phone stolen was 'traumatising' and said she felt 'awful, scared and helpless' when it happened. She explained that she was simply going about her day when a criminal whizzed past her on an electric bike and snatched her phone straight from her hand. The star said it was early morning when she was on her way to the dentist around Covent Garden. Annabel Croft was also a victim of phone theft and recently recalled the terrifying moment she was mugged in broad daylight in the middle of London. The brave star being the target of a criminal has prompted her to speak out to make sure others don't suffer the same issue. Annabel, who competed in the 2023 series alongside Johannes Radebe, said she was waiting for a taxi when the incident occurred. Speaking on Instagram, Annabel detailed the moment and thanked those who rushed to her aid. "I just wanted to warn people who are on their own in London. I just got mugged waiting for a taxi outside King's Cross St Pancras," she wrote. "The man was riding a bike and wearing a black balaclava. He rode straight at me and took my phone clean out of my hands. He rode away with it but luckily dropped my phone so I got it back. Terrifying! " Annabel added. She added: "On a positive note, there are some lovely people out there. Luckily a lovely gentleman witnessed it and came over to help me. Thank you to whoever you are." The new Strictly curse didn't stop with Annabel as Seann Walsh recently revealed his phone was stolen in a post shared on his Instagram Stories. Along with a screenshot from the Find My app, which showed his phone in Guangdong, China, he said: "My phone was stolen (yes, out of my hand and yes, I live in Lond) a week or so ago and it is now in China if anyone happens to be passing by." One person urged the comedian to write a book called "It could only happen to me" and he responded: "If there are any publishers following me, I am open to this but it will be a very long book. I'm calling it Typical." Unsettled Londoners have been left in disbelief as mobile phone theft has increased at a horrifying rate. New statistics release this month revealed that 231,000 phone thefts and robberies were recorded over the past four years in the city. Analysis by The Times revealed hotspots in London include St James's Park, where Piccadilly and Haymarket meet Pall Mall and Clarence House as well as parts of the West End. Figures released by Scotland Yard figures show a 20 per cent year-on-year increase in robberies - with 81,256 mobile phone crimes were recorded in 2023. The stats also showed that roughly 37 people have their phone snatched on the streets of the capital every day.


Wales Online
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC Wimbledon star Annabel Croft's big life change, dating update and lasting regret
BBC Wimbledon star Annabel Croft's big life change, dating update and lasting regret The former player turned presenter and pundit is set to be a regular fixture on our screens in the coming weeks Annabel Croft (Image: Getty Images ) BBC presenter Annabel Croft will once again be on our screens over the next fortnight as Wimbledon fever prepares to take over the nation. The much-loved tennis pundit is part of the BBC's coverage for the tournament this year, part of a star-studded lineup which kicks off in earnest on Monday. A former player herself, Croft has carved out a stellar career for herself behind he microphone and in front of the camera, while she shot into the wider public conscience during her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2023. Her Strictly journey came just months after a tragic life event which rocked her to her core. Her husband of 30 years, Mel, died aged 60 just 16 weeks after his diagnosis. Two years after Mel's tragic passing, she is ready to undertake a major change and move house. She had three children with Mel, a former America's Cup yachtsman, Amber, now 31, Charlie, 29, and Lily, 27, but believes now is the time to downsize. 'The house has been my life for 25 years. Everything about it is Mel, because he built it. We've had amazing memories here that are impossible to forget, but I'm ready to go,' she told The Sun. 'What gives me pleasure is going for a morning walk in the park, running with my friends, having a coffee, a meal out and being with my family. Article continues below "I've realised I don't need much any more. I don't want overheads, maintenance, a garden to look after and pay for – anything that is excess to what I need.' She previously told Hello! magazine that she "doesn't even consider" going back into dating. "It's not something I'm thinking about at all. I'm not in that headspace – it's way too soon," she told the publication. That's why she appeared to be exasperated when rumours swirled of a new romance after being spotted with a man at lunch back in April. 'He's my bank manager and a great friend who was also close to Mel,' she told The Sun clearing up any sort of rumour. 'We were looking at photographs of Mel together. Mel adored him and he's been really helpful to me.' Croft, who will turn 59 during the tournament, now says she is looking forward to becoming a grandmother, with daughter Amber due to give birth in September. It will mean a new chapter in her life, one which has seen many colourful chapters already closed. One in particular, which is pertinent, too, with Wimbledon fortnight upon us, is her tennis playing career. The former British No.1 was a junior Wimbled and Australian Open champion, however she walked away from the sport at the tender age of 21. Explaining her decision, she said she simply "fell out of love" with the sport. She added: "I didn't want to live that circus lifestyle any more. I shudder now, thinking: 'How did I do that with such conviction but without any idea of what I was going to do?' "I didn't have an education or a plan. I was young and naive, and hadn't actually thought beyond that moment.' And there is regret over that decision. When asked if she regretted not keeping with the sport in an attempt to turn her Wimbledon title into a senior crown, she replied: 'Of course, I would have loved to have won the main trophy, but I made a decision that I didn't want to chase that dream any more. "I regret that I didn't understand what I was doing at the time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn't it?' Her professional career away from the sport, however, has been a success story. Article continues below After five years performing in pantomime – an experience that helped boost her confidence – Croft made a successful move into television, landing a role on Channel 4's adventure show Network Seven before stepping into Anneka Rice's shoes as the new host of Treasure Hunt in 1989. She eventually returned to her tennis roots, carving out a new career as a presenter and pundit. She began with Eurosport before going on to work with Sky Sports and the BBC, becoming a familiar face in tennis coverage.


The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Ex-Wimbledon champion Annabel Croft on downsizing after her husband's sudden death & the truth behind new man rumours
Former tennis champ and broadcasting royalty Annabel Croft on downsizing after the loss of her husband, why Strictly was a lifeline, and who to watch at Wimbledon Annabel Croft is in a taxi on her way home after a corporate speaking engagement, fresh from a day of commentating at London's Queen's Club. 6 6 It's 8:45pm, yet the former tennis pro is still brimming with energy. Is stamina her superpower? 'It does feel a bit like that,' she laughs. 'But this is peak season for me – and I love it.' As one of the BBC's most respected faces of tennis programming, Annabel covers tournaments around the globe including the Wimbledon Championships, which start tomorrow. And the day before she steps on to Centre Court to host the trophy ceremony for a third year running, Annabel will celebrate her 59th birthday, plus a major milestone in her sporting career. ' I'll be 59 on the penultimate day of Wimbledon, and that marks 50 years since I first picked up a racket at the age of nine,' she says, remembering the first time she gave tennis a go during a family holiday to Spain in 1975. She went on to win junior versions of Wimbledon and the Australian Open and represented Great Britain in the Federation Cup (now the Billie Jean King Cup), becoming one of the world's Top 25 players, before quitting at 21 after growing tired of travelling the world alone. 'I've lived my whole adult life with Mel, and now I'm on my own' Today, 38 years on, Annabel is encountering similar feelings again, two years since losing her husband Mel, 60, to cancer. At the five-bedroom family home that Mel built, she occupies just the kitchen and her bedroom, saying she no longer 'needs very much'. 'It's taken me back to living on my own before Mel came into my life, as that 15-year-old playing at Wimbledon for the first time, travelling the world on planes and across America on Greyhound buses. 'I've gone full circle to that person, because I've had to,' says Annabel, who has spent the past few months sorting and decluttering in readiness to move. I've realised I don't need much any more. I don't want overheads, maintenance, a garden to look after and pay for – anything that is excess to what I need. 'The house has been my life for 25 years. Everything about it is Mel, because he built it. We've had amazing memories here that are impossible to forget, but I'm ready to go,' she says, admitting she is looking forward to 'simplifying' her life. 'What gives me pleasure is going for a morning walk in the park, running with my friends, having a coffee, a meal out and being with my family. "I've realised I don't need much any more. I don't want overheads, maintenance, a garden to look after and pay for – anything that is excess to what I need.' Annabel's journey with America's Cup yachtsman Mel began in 1987, when they met filming BBC yachting series Cudmore's Call, when she was just 21. "The pair went on to have three children, Amber, now 31, Charlie, 29, and Lily, 27. 'I've lived my whole adult life with Mel, and now it's a weird thing to be doing [life] on my own,' she says. 'I just walk into an empty house, so I try to trick my brain into thinking about when Mel was out at a work function and I'd come into the house on my own. Only, every night it is like this. 'Thankfully, I'm busy – that's always been the same and that's helpful.' Annabel remembers the days and nights she devoted to training during the 2023 series of Strictly Come Dancing soon after losing Mel, who died in May 2023, just 16 weeks after he was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer. Partnered with South African dancer and choreographer Johannes Radebe, 38, the pair reached the semi-finals and the BBC show became a lifeline and welcome distraction. 'I wish I could find some way of replacing Strictly in my life in terms of what that show was to me. "It was so special and joyful,' she says, choosing not to be drawn on recent Strictly controversies, specifically surrounding pro dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, who quit over bullying claims. Since then, duty-of-care measures have been introduced, including a 24-hour helpline and chaperones in rehearsal rooms. 'I think having a permanent chaperone would have been quite restrictive [when it comes to building] the relationship between you and the dancer,' says Annabel. 'I would have found it quite awkward, but if that's what you know, then that's all you know.' Annabel speaks regularly to Johannes, who she says she 'adores'. But what of the friend she shared a lunch date with in April, sparking speculation of a new romantic connection? 'He's my bank manager and a great friend who was also close to Mel,' sighs Annabel. 'We were looking at photographs of Mel together. Mel adored him and he's been really helpful to me.' 'Sport was my chance to feel like I had something to offer' Family is everything to Annabel – and now, that family is growing. In September, her eldest daughter Amber will welcome her first child. 'It feels like yesterday that I was cradling my baby [Amber] in my arms, feeding her, bathing her and taking her to nursery school. "I can't believe that same baby is now having a baby herself!' says Annabel, who hopes the birth will be before her nationwide speaking tour starts. 'I leave on September 24, so I hope the baby isn't late because I want to be supporting with cooking and helping out. Amber was 10 days early, so I'm hoping that her baby will be, too!' Amber married husband Hector last summer and, in August, it's son Charlie's turn to tie the knot. But Annabel will not be imparting marital advice. 'I can't bear hearing people talking about how to make a marriage work,' she says. 'If you have to try and make it work, there's something wrong. "Marriage should just be, and if you're compatible with somebody and enjoy their company, you go on the journey together.' I was very shy and introverted and had no interest in academics. Sport was my chance to feel like I had something to offer. Raised in Kent by her club-level-tennis-playing dad James, a chartered surveyor, and mum Susan, a housewife, Annabel was hooked from the moment she first picked up that racket aged nine. 'I remember gazing out of maths class at the sports pitches, because all I wanted to do was to be out there. "I was very shy and introverted and had no interest in academics. Sport was my chance to feel like I had something to offer,' she says. This summer, with women's sport sitting front and centre of a blockbuster line-up of events, Annabel hopes young girls feel inspired, just as she was watching tennis rivals Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. 'From women's tennis returning to the Queen's Club for the first time in 50 years and players excelling at Wimbledon, to the Lionesses defending their title at the Women's Euros and female cricketers and rugby stars competing at their World Cups, these moments matter. 'Visibility drives engagement. Sport gave me so much, and it can do the same for the next generation of young girls.' Annabel made history at 15 when she became the youngest Brit in nearly a century to play in the Wimbledon main draw. At 18, she reached the third round, facing her idol Chris Evert on Court One – one of her 'most defining' career moments – and won Junior Wimbledon Singles that same year. 'I'll always be part of Wimbledon history and that makes me proud' But, aged 21, she stunned the tennis world by walking away. 'Ever since, people have come up to me and asked: 'Why did you stop so early?'' she says, explaining that she 'fell out of love' with the job. 'I didn't want to live that circus lifestyle any more,' she adds, admitting the decision was unplanned. 'I shudder now, thinking: 'How did I do that with such conviction but without any idea of what I was going to do?' "I didn't have an education or a plan. I was young and naive, and hadn't actually thought beyond that moment.' Fortunately, life after tennis served her well. After five years starring in pantomime, which built her confidence, Annabel found her stride in television, starring in Channel 4's adventure series Network Seven, before replacing Anneka Rice on Treasure Hunt in 1989. Once digital sports channels emerged, Annabel returned to her tennis roots, becoming a tennis presenter and pundit, first for Eurosport, then Sky Sports and the BBC. These days, as a member of the All England Club, she still plays 'two or three times a week'. Occasionally, she gives friends guided tours, ending at the Wimbledon trophy cabinet, where her junior title is enshrined. 'At the time, it didn't mean that much to me, but it does now. I'll always be in that trophy cabinet, which is part of Wimbledon history,' she says. 'That makes me proud.' Does she regret not staying to win the women's title? 'Of course, I would have loved to have won the main trophy, but I made a decision that I didn't want to chase that dream any more. "I regret that I didn't understand what I was doing at the time. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, isn't it?' Annabel lights up again as we discuss the players to watch at this year's Wimbledon Championships, namely Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, 22, as well as British sensations Jack Draper, 23, and Emma Raducanu, 22 – who was the last Brit standing last month in the new WTA 500 event, the first time women's tennis had been played at the Queen's Club since 1973. Annabel has also got her eye on American player Coco Gauff, 21. 'She's had her ups and downs on her journey in tennis, but I admire her as a character and a player – her attitude, work ethic and how she's battled through challenges,' she says of young French Open winner, Coco. A woman after her own heart. . . Annabel's nationwide 28-date tour starts September 25. For tickets, go to 6


The Irish Sun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Five tennis-themed holidays across Europe in time for Wimbledon from UK countryside clubs to Greek coastal resorts
TENNIS season is upon us and Wimbledon begins in less than two weeks' time. But why leave all the fun to the pros? Advertisement 6 The Pine Cliffs Resort in Portugal features programmes designed by former British No 1 Annabel Croft Credit: Supplied These tennis-themed holidays will get you volleying like Sophie Swietochowski shares her five top picks for keen tennis players. 1. Puente Romano MARBELLA, SPAIN YOU won't need to worry about tiring yourself out on the tennis courts at Puente Romano Advertisement read more on tennis Set on the city's Golden Mile, the plush hotel houses famous Japanese spot Nobu and a sophisticated Peruvian joint as well as a whopping 18 other restaurants. 6 Puente Romano Marbella is great for foodies as well as tennis fans Credit: Supplied Its well-known tennis club, which opened in 1979, has welcomed a whole host of sporting heroes through its doors, including Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and And that's no surprise when you consider the range of facilities here. Advertisement There are ten tennis courts (eight clay and two plexipave) plus four padel courts, as well as massage rooms, a sauna and Turkish bath to soothe any aching muscles. All of this does come with a pretty hefty price tag, though. Most read in News Travel GO : Private tennis coaching costs from €80 per hour. Four nights' B&B costs from £1,167pp including flights from Gatwick on October 31. See Emma Raducanu reveals she keeps being BANNED from Italian Open grounds and was exposed by 2. Foxhills CHERTSEY, SURREY ANYONE wanting to stay a little closer to home should look no further than Foxhills Hotel & Country Club which is tucked away in 400 rolling acres of Surrey countryside. However, it is still close enough to the capital if you want to get in on the Wimbledon action for real. Advertisement 6 Foxhills Hotel & Country Club is tucked away in 400 rolling acres of Surrey countryside Credit: Supplied The resort features nine tennis courts in total (four acrylic, four artificial clay and one all-weather), plus you can try your hand at the increasingly popular racket sport of padel on one of three courts, or even pickleball – another fun racket pastime. Little ones aspiring to make it into the big leagues should head down to the hotel on June 28 to see the juniors competing in the Road To Wimbledon tournament. Tired of all the tennis? Advertisement Stretch your limbs in the on-site yoga cabin, kick back in the luxurious spa or grab a tipple on the terrace, overlooking the golfing green. GO: A double room costs from £355, based on two sharing on June 29. See 3. Pine Cliffs Resort ALGARVE, PORTUGAL WHETHER you're a total beginner or a seriously experienced player, Pine Cliffs has a training programme to suit all skill levels. Set on the coast in Portugal's Algarve region, the 5* resort isn't just a fly-and-flop spot – although there are plenty of sunloungers and ample balcony space for those who do want some chill time. Advertisement 6 Pine Cliffs has a training programme to suit all skill levels Credit: Supplied It's also home to an excellent Tennis Academy, with programmes that have been designed by former British No 1 There are eight floodlit courts: two clay and two hard tennis courts as well as four for padel. Guests can book on to group sessions or weekend tennis camps, while those taking their favourite sport a little more seriously can sign up for some private coaching to improve their game. Advertisement GO : Adult Tennis or padel weekly coaching courses start from £300 per adult and £265 per child in off-peak season (Nov to March) and £326 per adult and £291 per child in peak season (April to Oct). Seven nights' B&B is from £1183.20pp including flights from Luton and transfers on September 30. See 4. Grecotel Luxme Daphnila Bay Hotel CORFU, GREECE UP for a bit of friendly competition? If you're travelling solo, you'll love this tennis-themed package at the 4* Grecotel Luxme Daphnila Bay Hotel on Corfu's eastern coast. 6 The 4* Grecotel Luxme Daphnila Bay Hotel is great for solo travellers Credit: Facebook Advertisement Week-long packages booked through travel agent Solos Holidays come with five days of tennis camp and no single supplement, meaning each guest gets a room to themselves. Anyone keen to put their new skills to the test can get stuck into the weekly mixed-doubles finale with prizes. Just try not to get distracted by the jaw-dropping views from the quartz-sand hard courts – the Ionian Sea looks dazzling from up there. When you're not unleashing a mean serve, there are watersports galore, or mountain biking in the surrounding hills. Advertisement GO : A seven-night, all-inclusive Corfu Tennis trip costs £1,995pp including flights and transfers from the UK on October 6, as well as a welcome drink, a five-day tennis programme and an experienced Solos Tour Leader. Call 020 8951 2900 or see 5. City Of Dreams Mediterranean LIMASSOL, CYPRUS WITH a Serve & Stay package at the City of Dreams Mediterranean, you'll be able to hone your skills and improve on your weaknesses under the eagle eye of skilled coaches. Each stay includes several days of training at the Marcos Baghdatis Tennis Academy, all of which is overseen by the former world number eight himself. 6 The Serve & Stay package at the City of Dreams Mediterranean is great for honing your skills Credit: Melco Resorts Advertisement Participants will receive personalised consultations and tailor-made programmes. Outside of training, you're free to unwind in five-star luxury in the city of Limassol. Music fans are in luck as the hotel puts on live performances in the evenings, while the days can be spent learning to surf on the resort's Waverider simulator. Or guests can just take a cooling dip in one of three outdoor swimming pools. Advertisement GO : A four-night Serve & Stay getaway costs €1,565pp (£1,330) on selected days in September and October and on a half-board basis. The package includes three days of tennis training, unlimited soft drinks, water and coffee during dinner. See Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.


Scottish Sun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Five tennis-themed holidays across Europe in time for Wimbledon from UK countryside clubs to Greek coastal resorts
You can even brush up on your skills alongside former world number eight Marcos Baghdatis NEW HOLS PLEASE Five tennis-themed holidays across Europe in time for Wimbledon from UK countryside clubs to Greek coastal resorts Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TENNIS season is upon us and Wimbledon begins in less than two weeks' time. But why leave all the fun to the pros? Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 The Pine Cliffs Resort in Portugal features programmes designed by former British No 1 Annabel Croft Credit: Supplied These tennis-themed holidays will get you volleying like Alcaraz and serving like Raducanu in no time. Sophie Swietochowski shares her five top picks for keen tennis players. 1. Puente Romano MARBELLA, SPAIN YOU won't need to worry about tiring yourself out on the tennis courts at Puente Romano Marbella, as this resort's excellent selection of restaurants will keep you very well fuelled. Set on the city's Golden Mile, the plush hotel houses famous Japanese spot Nobu and a sophisticated Peruvian joint as well as a whopping 18 other restaurants. 6 Puente Romano Marbella is great for foodies as well as tennis fans Credit: Supplied Its well-known tennis club, which opened in 1979, has welcomed a whole host of sporting heroes through its doors, including Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Boris Becker. And that's no surprise when you consider the range of facilities here. There are ten tennis courts (eight clay and two plexipave) plus four padel courts, as well as massage rooms, a sauna and Turkish bath to soothe any aching muscles. All of this does come with a pretty hefty price tag, though. GO: Private tennis coaching costs from €80 per hour. Four nights' B&B costs from £1,167pp including flights from Gatwick on October 31. See Emma Raducanu reveals she keeps being BANNED from Italian Open grounds and was exposed by 2. Foxhills CHERTSEY, SURREY ANYONE wanting to stay a little closer to home should look no further than Foxhills Hotel & Country Club which is tucked away in 400 rolling acres of Surrey countryside. However, it is still close enough to the capital if you want to get in on the Wimbledon action for real. 6 Foxhills Hotel & Country Club is tucked away in 400 rolling acres of Surrey countryside Credit: Supplied The resort features nine tennis courts in total (four acrylic, four artificial clay and one all-weather), plus you can try your hand at the increasingly popular racket sport of padel on one of three courts, or even pickleball – another fun racket pastime. Little ones aspiring to make it into the big leagues should head down to the hotel on June 28 to see the juniors competing in the Road To Wimbledon tournament. Tired of all the tennis? Stretch your limbs in the on-site yoga cabin, kick back in the luxurious spa or grab a tipple on the terrace, overlooking the golfing green. GO: A double room costs from £355, based on two sharing on June 29. See or call 01932 872 050. 3. Pine Cliffs Resort ALGARVE, PORTUGAL WHETHER you're a total beginner or a seriously experienced player, Pine Cliffs has a training programme to suit all skill levels. Set on the coast in Portugal's Algarve region, the 5* resort isn't just a fly-and-flop spot – although there are plenty of sunloungers and ample balcony space for those who do want some chill time. 6 Pine Cliffs has a training programme to suit all skill levels Credit: Supplied It's also home to an excellent Tennis Academy, with programmes that have been designed by former British No 1 Annabel Croft. There are eight floodlit courts: two clay and two hard tennis courts as well as four for padel. Guests can book on to group sessions or weekend tennis camps, while those taking their favourite sport a little more seriously can sign up for some private coaching to improve their game. GO : Adult Tennis or padel weekly coaching courses start from £300 per adult and £265 per child in off-peak season (Nov to March) and £326 per adult and £291 per child in peak season (April to Oct). : Adult Tennis or padel weekly coaching courses start from £300 per adult and £265 per child in off-peak season (Nov to March) and £326 per adult and £291 per child in peak season (April to Oct). Seven nights' B&B is from £1183.20pp including flights from Luton and transfers on September 30. See 4. Grecotel Luxme Daphnila Bay Hotel CORFU, GREECE UP for a bit of friendly competition? If you're travelling solo, you'll love this tennis-themed package at the 4* Grecotel Luxme Daphnila Bay Hotel on Corfu's eastern coast. 6 The 4* Grecotel Luxme Daphnila Bay Hotel is great for solo travellers Credit: Facebook Week-long packages booked through travel agent Solos Holidays come with five days of tennis camp and no single supplement, meaning each guest gets a room to themselves. Anyone keen to put their new skills to the test can get stuck into the weekly mixed-doubles finale with prizes. Just try not to get distracted by the jaw-dropping views from the quartz-sand hard courts – the Ionian Sea looks dazzling from up there. When you're not unleashing a mean serve, there are watersports galore, or mountain biking in the surrounding hills. GO : A seven-night, all-inclusive Corfu Tennis trip costs £1,995pp including flights and transfers from the UK on October 6, as well as a welcome drink, a five-day tennis programme and an experienced Solos Tour Leader. : A seven-night, all-inclusive Corfu Tennis trip costs £1,995pp including flights and transfers from the UK on October 6, as well as a welcome drink, a five-day tennis programme and an experienced Solos Tour Leader. Call 020 8951 2900 or see 5. City Of Dreams Mediterranean LIMASSOL, CYPRUS WITH a Serve & Stay package at the City of Dreams Mediterranean, you'll be able to hone your skills and improve on your weaknesses under the eagle eye of skilled coaches. Each stay includes several days of training at the Marcos Baghdatis Tennis Academy, all of which is overseen by the former world number eight himself. 6 The Serve & Stay package at the City of Dreams Mediterranean is great for honing your skills Credit: Melco Resorts Participants will receive personalised consultations and tailor-made programmes. Outside of training, you're free to unwind in five-star luxury in the city of Limassol. Music fans are in luck as the hotel puts on live performances in the evenings, while the days can be spent learning to surf on the resort's Waverider simulator. Or guests can just take a cooling dip in one of three outdoor swimming pools. GO : A four-night Serve & Stay getaway costs €1,565pp (£1,330) on selected days in September and October and on a half-board basis. : A four-night Serve & Stay getaway costs €1,565pp (£1,330) on selected days in September and October and on a half-board basis. The package includes three days of tennis training, unlimited soft drinks, water and coffee during dinner. See Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.