Steffi Graf To Make Comeback In Paris

Steffi Graf's manager said Friday the tennis star will make her oft-delayed comeback from a knee injury at next week's WTA tournament in Paris.

""Steffi doesn't have any pain any more her injury is fully cured," said Hans Engert, who added Graf already had entered the tournament which begins Monday.

The former No. 1 in the world was scheduled to play this week's Pan Pacific Open, but withdrew when her surgically repaired knee flared up again.

Graf, 28, has not played since losing to Amanda Coetzer in the quarterfinals of the French Open in June. Her left knee was operated upon shortly after that defeat.

Her knee problems began in Tokyo last year, when she was forced to drop out of the final against Martina Hingis. Since then, the seven-time Wimbledon champion had planned several comebacks, including the Australian Open, but withdrew each time.

Although Graf dominated women's tennis for a decade, a new generation of players has emerged, with Hingis taking over the No. 1 spot.

Her knee problems began in Tokyo last year, when she was forced to drop out of the final against Hingis.

Written by Roy Kammerer Associated Press Writer
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