STEFFI GRAF knew about her tax difficulties well before they he came public, the German magazine Stern reported yesterday. The magazine said Grafs prior knowledge of details of the financial conduct of people in her confidence was contrary to what she had previously claimed.

Stern, saying it was in possession of statements made by the world number one's former tax adviser Joachim Eckardt, said the 26 year old player knew about the existence of secret bank accounts in Liechtenstein.

Eckardt, jailed since last September, and Peter Graf, the player's father who has been detained since August, will face court in Mannheim on fraud charges concerning her affairs.