"This is good, it is time for the break... We knew it would be hard" - When Steffi Graf's father Peter trusted her judgment about her first boyfriend

Steffi Graf's father Peter once shared his thoughts on her relationship with fellow German tennis player, Alexander Mronz. Peter also explained why he believed it was a suitable match for his daughter.

In 1988, Graf made history by completing the coveted calendar year Golden Slam, winning all four Majors and the singles gold at the Seoul Olympics. She extended her dominance by triumphing at the 1989 Australian Open. During her time in Melbourne, the German also began dating Alexander Mronz.

Their relationship attracted significant attention in Germany, with local publication Bild running a major feature in March speculating whether the couple would get engaged that year. Steffi Graf took the conjecture in stride, jokingly expressing her intention to play along if she was asked about the rumors.

"If they ask me about this subject, I have an answer for them," Steffi Graf told the press during the 1989 Citizen Cup in Hamburg. "I'm going to say, "Haven't you heard? It's all set. I'm already picking out a wedding dress.' "

In an interview with Sports Illustrated later that year, Graf's father Peter admitted the challenge of letting go as the German entered her first serious relationship but emphasized that he trusted his daughter's judgment.

"This is good for Steffi, good for all of us. It is time for the break. It is not so difficult as I thought to let go. We knew it would be hard on the first [boy]friend. But I think Steffi can make good judgments. She sees you, she knows if you are O.K," Peter said.

Peter also expressed his approval of Steffi Graf's decision to date a fellow tennis player, highlighting that Alexander Mronz understood her strict schedule and commitment to her tennis career, which made it a "good arrangement" in his eyes.

"Alexander is a tennis player. He knows tennis comes number one with Steffi. I think this is a good arrangement. At the end of the day, if she says to him, 'It is nine o'clock now, I have to go to bed.' and he makes like this [Peter rubs his hand around his shoulder and puckers up] and says, 'Goodnight' and lets her go, I think everything is O.K," he added.

"I don’t want Steffi Graf’s money... What I need is a coach, but I can’t afford a coach" - German's ex-boyfriend Alexander Mronz

Steffi Graf - Source: Getty

Steffi Graf's then-boyfriend Alexander Mronz stirred controversy in 1989 when he likened women's tennis to "ping pong" and called it a "scandal" that female players earned so much money. He argued that male players had to fight much harder, while women earned millions with relatively less effort.

"It is not tennis, it is Ping-Pong," he said (via Los Angeles Times). "With the exception of a few, the big money the women make is a scandal. Every man has to fight 100% in the first round, and some of the girls, they don’t even sweat and they make millions."

Mronz, who was ranked as the World No. 165 at the time, also insisted that he wasn't interested in Graf's wealth but admitted that he couldn't afford a coach, which he desperately needed.

"I don’t want Steffi’s money. I make my own money. What I need is a coach, but I can’t afford a coach," he added.

Steffi Graf and Alexander Mronz's relationship was short-lived, with the couple parting ways that same year. The former World No. 1 then dated German racing driver Michael Bartels from 1992 to 1999.

Following their breakup, Graf began a relationship with fellow tennis legend Andre Agassi. The couple got married in 2001 and welcomed their son Jaden that same year, followed by their daughter Jaz in 2003.