.The scene in the stands at Roland Garrosu00e2 $ s Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier was dotted along with vermillion ensigns, adding a radiance to the actually orangey air originating off the red clay court.These were actually Mandarin flagsu00e2 $" numerous themu00e2 $" swaying in energetic support for Qinwen Zheng, 21, that would quickly take gold through beating Croatiau00e2 $ s Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 in the womenu00e2 $ s singles ping pong final.As she put down on the dirt, eyes skyward and fists prolonged into the Paris fog, the winu00e2 $ s gravitational force seemed to be to sign up: Zheng had only built the kind of past history that stretched far past the arena and also the minute. This was Chinau00e2 $ s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the sportu00e2 $" and also Zheng had actually created clear of the simple fact that the Olympics were as, if not additional, significant to her than a Grand Slam.Zheng celebrates her Olympic victory on August 3.Photograph: Getty Imagesu00e2 $ In China, our company always strongly believe a countryu00e2 $ s honor is in front end of individual excellence, u00e2 $ she said over an early morning meeting at Nikeu00e2 $ s Sportsmen Property, put discreetly between the Stade de France and also the Aquatics Center in Parisu00e2 $ s St. Denis place, the day after her accomplishment. u00e2 $ I treated [the Games] differentlyu00e2 $" the emotional state, the fight, the mentality: It experienced different than every other competition Iu00e2 $ ve played.u00e2 $ Birthed in 2002 in Shiyan, China, Zheng began participating in tennis at age seven. At grow older 8, she moved, without her mama as well as daddy, to Wuhan for better mentoring, as well as given that teenage years she has actually profoundly appreciated and also followed Mandarin professional athletes, such as the tennis celebrity Li Na as well as the distance runner Liu Xiang, that gained gold at the 2004 Athens Games.u00e2 $ It was actually actually difficult, u00e2 $ Zheng pointed out, looking back at those very early days. u00e2 $ My mommy made use of to come browse through on weekends. When she left behind, I would certainly secure her lower leg and weep. When she was gone, I would always hold her coat. This was up until I was actually thirteen. After 13, my mother chose to quit her work as well as happen stick with me permanent, merely to possess better growth and far better treatment. Afterwards, it received simpler. And also our company relocated to Europe when I was 17. u00e2 $.