WATCH NOW: Emma Raducanu meets King Charles at Windsor Castle
The tennis star was crushed during Monday's match in Rome
Don't Miss
Most Read
Trending on GB News
Emma Raducanu is maintaining a positive outlook despite her straight-sets defeat to Coco Gauff in the Italian Open.
The British tennis star was comprehensively beaten on Monday as her rival advanced to the quarter-finals in Rome.
Rather than dwelling on the loss, Raducanu is focused on improvement and continuing to compete.
The match could potentially be the 22-year-old's final competitive action before Roland Garros begins on May 25, though she has suggested she might still participate in next week's Internationaux de Strasbourg.
Emma Raducanu is maintaining a positive outlook despite her straight-sets defeat to Coco Gauff in the Italian Open
REUTERS
Gauff needed just one hour and 20 minutes to secure her victory in the fourth-round clash, with the American dropping just three games.
Despite the comprehensive nature of the defeat, Raducanu walked away from the encounter focusing on the positives.
She has been playing consistently, noting she had "played a good 12 days on the trot" and was looking forward to a brief rest before returning to action.
"I would love to just keep improving, keep playing. I think that's a positive for me," Raducanu told Sky Sports.
"I don't want to go and hide in a hole somewhere, I want to get back out there, so that's good."
JUST IN: Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray split just weeks before French Open as pair release statements
Emma Raducanu was no match for Coco Gauff in their Italian Open clash
REUTERS
The 22-year-old is considering competing at next week's tournament in Strasbourg.
"We'll see how it goes in the next week before the French, if I get into Strasbourg," she said.
Her determination to continue competing rather than retreat after defeat highlights her resilient mindset.
Raducanu credited her promising showing in Rome to playing with enjoyment.
"It makes it more enjoyable, it makes it more sustainable. It doesn't make the losses feel as bad," she explained.
READ MORE: Rugby star left screaming in agony after tackle from trans player resulted in horrifying injury
"I didn't win on the match court today but I'm going to find a way to win the day still today.
"It was a tough day in the office. I just have to take a lot of positives."
She added that she's "enjoying myself and taking it in wherever I go" to make the tour more enjoyable.
Former British No 1 Tim Henman, meanwhile, believes the match was closer than the final scoreline suggested.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
"When you reflect on the score, it looks very straightforward, but I think there were a couple of really long games," Henman said.
He noted that Raducanu "didn't have the opportunities to dictate because Gauff was hitting so aggressively".
Despite the loss, Henman was positive about her clay-court season overall.
"When you reflect on Raducanu's clay-court season so far, it's been very positive," he said.
Emma Raducanu has shown glimpses of her best form as the Italian Open creeps closer
REUTERS
"The clay courts at Roland Garros are the trust, the best, they will suit Emma even more.
"Her game is moving in the right direction, she's up to 42 in the live rankings."
He also expressed hope she might reach the top 32 before Wimbledon.
"A number in the back of my mind is 32 - can she be seeded pre-Wimbledon and get that protection in the early rounds on grass?" he added.