Tennis

Razzano to play at French after tragedy

Published May. 17, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Virginie Razzano will play at the French Open despite the death of her fiance and one-time coach Stephane Vidal.

Razzano told Tuesday's edition of L'Equipe newspaper that the 32-year-old Vidal, who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor nine years ago, said a few days before his death Monday that she had to play.

''Four or five days ago, I asked him: 'Do you want me to go and play at Roland Garros?','' Razzano said. ''He answered: 'Yes, you need to play.' Because his intention is that I keep on going in my life, that I play for him and that I continue to be strong and to fight.''

The 93rd-ranked Razzano said that Vidal didn't tell her that his condition recently deteriorated, also convincing her to play in a Fed Cup tie against Spain in April.

''The most beautiful thing we achieved in our lives was not a match,'' Razzano said. ''We were a couple, but we became one person.''

Razzano added she had a ''very difficult adolescence'' before she met Vidal.

''It's hard, but thanks to the strength he gave me I'm still alive,'' Razzano said.

The French Open begins Sunday.

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