Graf defeated on return to tennis

Graf retired from the tennis tour in 1999

Steffi Graf lost two of her three matches in her one-off return to tennis playing for the Houston Wranglers in the World Team Tennis (WTT) Pro League.

The 36-year-old lost 5-4 against Russian Elena Likhovtseva of the Sacramento Capitals.

The German then teamed up with Ansley Cargill in the women's doubles but lost 5-2 to Likhovtseva and Anna Kournikova.

But she was successful in the mixed doubles where she and Mardy Fish beat Mark Knowles and Kournikova 5-3.

"It was a lot of fun. It was not as I expected it to be," said Graf, who nevertheless will not play in any further WTT matches this season.

The WTT league comprises 12 teams and plays over three weeks in July with a mixture of current and former professionals.

Former participants have included Andre Agassi, Tracy Austin, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Lindsay Davenport, Rod Laver, John McEnroe, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Patrick Rafter, Serena Williams and Venus Williams.

The teams play best-of-nine game single-set matches in singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Team Tennis co-founder Billie Jean King, herself a legend of the sport, praised Graf's decision to play singles, doubles and mixed doubles at the event.

"I was really impressed by the way Steffi stepped up and accepted the challenge," she said.

"That's why she's such a great champion and the fans love her so much."

Graf, who has two children with husband Agassi, won 22 Grand Slam titles in a glittering career before retiring in 1999.