.The performance in the platforms at Roland Garrosu00e2 $ s Court Philippe-Chatrier was populated with vermillion ensigns, including a glow to the currently orangey sky originating off the red clay-based court.These were actually Chinese flagsu00e2 $" numerous themu00e2 $" swing in energetic assistance for Qinwen Zheng, 21, who would certainly quickly take gold by defeating Croatiau00e2 $ s Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 in the womenu00e2 $ s singles ping pong final.As she put down on the gunk, eyes skyward and also fists stretched right into the Paris haze, the winu00e2 $ s gravity appeared to sign up: Zheng had only built the type of record that extended much past the coliseum and also the second. This was actually Chinau00e2 $ s first-ever Olympic gold award in the sportu00e2 $" and also Zheng had actually made clear of the simple fact that the Olympics were as, otherwise additional, important to her than a Grand Slam.Zheng commemorates her Olympic success on August 3.Photo: Getty Imagesu00e2 $ In China, our team regularly strongly believe a countryu00e2 $ s honor remains in front of personal effectiveness, u00e2 $ she said over an early morning appointment at Nikeu00e2 $ s Athlete Residence, tucked inconspicuously between the Stade de France as well as the Aquatics Center in Parisu00e2 $ s St. Denis area, the time after her conquest. u00e2 $ I managed [the Gamings] differentlyu00e2 $" the emotional state, the fight, the attitude: It felt various than every other competition Iu00e2 $ ve played.u00e2 $ Born in 2002 in Shiyan, China, Zheng began playing tennis at age seven. At age eight, she moved, without her mom and father, to Wuhan for much better training, and also given that adolescence she has deeply admired and also emulated Chinese sportsmens, such as the ping pong superstar Li Na and also the distance runner Liu Xiang, that succeeded gold at the 2004 Athens Games.u00e2 $ It was definitely difficult, u00e2 $ Zheng stated, remembering at those very early days. u00e2 $ My mom used ahead visit on weekends. When she left behind, I would keep her lower leg and also weep. When she was gone, I would consistently hold her coat. This was till I was 13. After thirteen, my mom decided to quit her job and come remain with me permanent, only to have far better development and also far better treatment. After that, it obtained much easier. And we transferred to Europe when I was actually 17. u00e2 $.