Navratilova to play singles

Navratilova won her last French Open title 20 years ago

Martina Navratilova has been awarded a wildcard to play singles at the French Open, 20 years after winning the second of her two French Open singles titles.

The 47-year-old made her singles comeback at Amelia Island last month and will play singles in a grand slam event for the first time in 10 years.

"Just practising for singles helps my doubles," she said. "I want to get more match play. This is one way to do it."

However, another former champion Monica Seles will not be playing in Paris.

Seles has struggled with a foot injury and hasn't played a competitive match since losing in the first round at the 2003 French Open.

She asked to play to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her last win French Open official

She had hoped to make her comeback at Roland Garros and had been given a wildcard but has now withdrawn from the event.

Navratilova holds the record for women's singles titles, having won 167 events in her career.

"She asked to play to celebrate the 20th anniversary of her last win," said tournament official Stephane Simian.

Simian said it would have been hard to turn down the request from arguably women's tennis' greatest player.

"It seemed to us that given her past record and her current level of play, since she's still competitive in doubles, she deserved a wildcard," he added.

"We had no hesitation. It could have been a problem if she had taken somebody else's place but it was not the case."

Navratilova said she would prepare for the French Open in Europe, but refused to reveal where.