Tennis: Peter Graf's personal appeal

Peter Graf, the father of the world No 1 Steffi Graf, has asked to appear personally before a judge to make his appeal for release from custody in a tax evasion case.

Several written requests for release from jail have been rejected since Peter Graf was arrested on 3 August after a judge's decision that there was a risk of his feeling to avoid prosecution. Peter Graf has not been charged, but is being investigated on suspicion of arranging to pay too little tax on his daughter's earnings when he acted as her manager.

Peter Wechsung, the chief prosecutor, said that Peter Graf filed a request yesterday saying he wanted to give an extensive explanation of his position.

Steffi Graf also remains under investigation in the case, as does the family tax adviser, Joachim Eckardt, who was arrested in September, and is also being treated as being at risk of fleeing.

Steffi Graf has already deposited DM20m (pounds 9m) to cover taxes investigators believe may have been evaded.