Graf's schedule was closely controlled by her father, who limited her play so that she would not burn out. In 1985, for instance, she played only ten events leading up to the US Open, whereas another up-and-coming star, Gabriela Sabatini of Argentina, who was a year younger than Graf, played 21. Peter Graf also kept a tight rein on Graf's personal life. Social invitations on the tour were often declined as Graf's focus was kept on practicing and match play. Working with her father and then-coach Pavel Složil, Graf typically practiced for up to four hours a day, often heading straight from airports to practice courts. This narrow focus meant that Graf, already shy and retiring by nature, made few friends on the tour in her early years, but it led to a steady improvement in her play.
Graf's schedule was closely controlled by her father who limited her play so that she would not burn out In 1985 for instance she played only ten events leading up to the US Open whereas another up-and-coming star Gabriela Sabatini of Argentina who was a year younger than Graf played 21 Peter Graf also kept a tight rein on Graf's personal life Social invitations on the tour were often declined as Graf's focus was kept on practicing and match play Working with her father and then-coach Pavel Složil Graf typically practiced for up to four hours a day often heading straight from airports to practice courts This narrow focus meant that Graf already shy and retiring by nature made few friends on the tour in her early years but it led to a steady improvement in her play