Kuerten granted a wildcard for French Open

PARIS (Reuters) - Former world number one Gustavo Kuerten has been given a wildcard for the French Open, organisers said on Thursday.

The 31-year-old Brazilian, whose career has been plagued by a recurrent hip injury, has said he will retire after Roland-Garros unless he receives a wildcard into the Beijing Olympics in August.

Kuerten won the French Open in 1997, 2000 and 2001.

French players Eric Prodon, Olivier Patience, Jeremy Chardy, Adrian Mannarino and Jonathan Eysseric were also given wildcards into the men's singles draw along with American Wayne Odesnik and Australian Robert Smeets.

The eight wildcards for the women's singles went to French players Olivia Sanchez, Severine Bremond, Stephanie Foretz, Mathilde Johansson, Youlia Fedossova and Violette Huck as well as American Madison Brengle and Australian Samantha Stosur.

The French Open runs from May 25 to June 8.