Wildcard angers Mauresmo

Navratilova is playing an Argentine in her first round

World number three Amelie Mauresmo has criticised French Open organisers for handing Martina Navratilova a wildcard for the singles tournament.

The Frenchwoman admires the 47-year-old's level of fitness but believes her entry has deprived up-and-coming French stars of competing.

"I hope she'll enjoy being on court and she's doing it for nothing more than the love of tennis," said Mauresmo.

"But it's obvious that it's penalising young French women players."

"Now I think that the tournament organisation's policy was to give priority to who would attract the most people," added Mauresmo.

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"It is also true that it would have been difficult to refuse Navratilova a wildcard."

Navratilova, who won 18 singles and 31 doubles Grand Slam titles, will take on Argentine Gisela Dulko on Tuesday.