An emotional Virginie Razzano took the court Tuesday at the French Open despite the death of her fiance eight days ago.
The Frenchwoman, playing with a black ribbon on her shirt, lost to 24th-seeded Jarmila Gajdosova of Australia 6-3, 6-1 on Court Philippe Chatrier.
''I felt a lot of emotion, a lot of pain on court today,'' Razzano said. ''The pain is permanent within me. It's very hard. But it felt good to be surrounded by so many people and to be here.
''I tried to pay tribute to Stephane today. It was almost a 'mission impossible,' but I did my best.''
Razzano's fiance and former coach Stephane Vidal died on May 16 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor nine years ago. He was 32.
The 28-year-old Razzano said last week that she asked Vidal before he died if she should play at Roland Garros and he said, ''Yes, you need to play.''
Razzano will also play in the doubles tournament with partner Alize Cornet.
