Steffi Graf’s father Peter succumbs to cancer

Peter Graf, the father of 22-time Grand Slam champion Steffi Graf, has died. It was announced that the 75-year old had cancer and died at hom in Mannheim.

The elder Graf has closely managed the tennis superstar’s career and attended almost all of her matches. He accumulated a lot of money through those years. However, he was convicted and sent to prison for tax evasion in 1997. He was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for tax evasion of nearly 7.7 million euros. He served two years and a month in prison. In 1999, he and wife Heidi Schalk divorced.

Steffi and Michael Graf posted a statement on the tennis star’s site saying that they reminiscing “many beautiful moments we shared. We thank our father for a very happy childhood and a great sense of family.”