Razzano to play French Open despite tragedy

French player Virginie Razzano has said she will compete in next week's French Open despite the death on Monday of her 32-year-old fiance Stephane Vidal.

Vidal, who was also the 93rd ranked Razzano's former coach, died from a brain tumour he has been battling against for the last nine years.

The 28-year-old Razzano told L'Equipe sports daily she had decided to play on after discussing the matter with her partner.

"Four or five days ago I asked him 'do you want me to go and play at Roland Garros' and he told me 'yes you have to play'

"He wanted me to get on with my life and play for him and continue being strong and fighting."

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 on Sunday.