Graf's father stays in jail

Tennis

Tennis

Steffi Graf's father failed yesterday with another attempt to get out of prison while public prosecutors investigate allegations that the family evaded millions of pounds in taxes. A judge in Mannheim ruled that Peter Graf should stay in prison in case he fled the country or interfered with the evidence during the investigation.

Graf, who has managed his daughter's finances since early in her career, was detained last August. He made the new request to be released at a hearing last Friday.

Steffi Graf, whose lifetime earnings of are thought to be more than 100m marks (pounds 45m), has already deposited DM20m marks to cover taxes investigators believe may have been evaded. Prosecutors have so far seen no need to arrest her. But they argued against the release of Peter Graf, saying he would not be in jail unless it were necessary.

His lawyer, Steffen Ufer, had seemed confident after last week's hearing in Mannheim that Graf would be freed this week in time for Christmas.

n Claire Taylor, the 1993 national junior champion from Oxfordshire, is seeded second behind Julia Lutrova, of Russia, in the British Women's Association Christmas Tournament at Queen's Club, London, from 18-21 December.