"He can start lining up pigeons for Steffi Graf" - When Pam Shriver & German's father Peter got into a war of words over his threat to form rival tour

Steffi Graf's father Peter once clashed with American tennis legend Pam Shriver over his threat to establish a rival women's tour. The conflict arose when the Women's International Tennis Association had introduced a change to the rankings system, which frustrated the German's father.

In 1988, the WITA proposed a new rankings system, which was unanimously approved by 111 players at a meeting that Graf didn't attend. The adjustment decreased points for the Majors while increasing them for regular tournaments, which would have hurt the German's point average.

Despite the overwhelming support, Steffi Graf's father Peter accused the WITA officials of dishonesty and contended that the new system would be "unfair" to his daughter.

"I will not in the future speak to (WITA officials) because they have lied to me. It is very unfair," he told USA Today. "If they don't change, we will not sign a commitment."

Peter Graf also threatened to form a rival women's tour and warned that he wouldn't let the German compete in the 1989 season unless the association acceded to his demands.

However, Pam Shriver dismissed the threat, sarcastically remarking that she was looking forward to seeing the level of players Peter would line up to compete against his daughter.

"He can start lining up pigeons for Steffi," Shriver said. "I'd like to see the pigeons they get to play on that one."

Peter also refused to let his daughter attend the annual WITA dinner, where Steffi Graf was set to be honored as Player of the Year, unless the organizers assured him that she would be in bed by 9 pm.

After the WITA gave in to his demands by moving the Player of the Year presentation to the first award of the night and arranging accommodations at the Plaza Hotel, Pam Shriver claimed that the WITA was "intimidated" by Peter.

"The WITA is intimidated by Peter," Shriver said.

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Steffi Graf's father Peter: "Pam Shriver will no longer say those things to me, she knows what I can do"

Steffi Graf with her father Peter Graf - Source: Getty

The animosity between Steffi Graf's father Peter and Pam Shriver didn't abate. Peter took offense to Shriver giving a kiss-off to German tennis player Claudia Kohde-Kilsch's father after a match.

In a 1989 interview with Sports Illustrated, Peter Graf asserted that the American wouldn't dare to make the same gesture towards him, since he wouldn't hesitate to retaliate.

"Shriver will no longer say those things to me. She knows what I can do. She ever makes a kiss-off my way, she also knows what will happen," he said.

Steffi Graf and Pam Shriver also developed a thrilling rivalry on the court, locking horns in 12 tour-level encounters. The 22-time Grand Slam champion dominated their head-to-head record, triumphing on nine occasions.