.The scene in the stands at Roland Garrosu00e2 $ s Courtroom Philippe-Chatrier was actually populated with vermillion ensigns, adding a radiance to the already orangey sky rising off the red clay court.These were actually Mandarin flagsu00e2 $" dozens themu00e2 $" waving in energetic assistance for Qinwen Zheng, 21, that will soon take gold through defeating Croatiau00e2 $ s Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 in the womenu00e2 $ s single people ping pong final.As she set on the gunk, eyes skyward and also fists extended into the Paris fog, the winu00e2 $ s gravity appeared to sign up: Zheng had actually merely created the sort of record that expanded much past the arena and also the second. This was actually Chinau00e2 $ s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the sportu00e2 $" and also Zheng had actually made obvious of the simple fact that the Olympics were actually as, or even more, important to her than a Grand Slam.Zheng commemorates her Olympic victory on August 3.Photograph: Getty Imagesu00e2 $ In China, we consistently feel a countryu00e2 $ s tribute resides in front of private results, u00e2 $ she mentioned over an early morning appointment at Nikeu00e2 $ s Athlete Residence, tucked inconspicuously in between the Stade de France and the Aquatics Center in Parisu00e2 $ s St. Denis location, the day after her conquest. u00e2 $ I managed [the Video games] differentlyu00e2 $" the emotional state, the fight, the mindset: It felt various than every other tournament Iu00e2 $ ve played.u00e2 $ Born in 2002 in Shiyan, China, Zheng began playing tennis at age 7. At age 8, she moved, without her mom as well as dad, to Wuhan for better mentoring, and also given that teenage years she has profoundly appreciated and also imitated Mandarin professional athletes, including the tennis celebrity Li Na and the runner Liu Xiang, who succeeded gold at the 2004 Athens Games.u00e2 $ It was actually actually difficult, u00e2 $ Zheng stated, recalling at those very early days. u00e2 $ My mommy utilized to come go to on weekend breaks. When she left behind, I will hold her lower leg and also weep. When she was gone, I would certainly consistently store her jacket. This was actually till I was actually 13. After 13, my mama decided to quit her project and also come remain with me full time, simply to have better development and much better treatment. After that, it got easier. And also our team moved to Europe when I was 17. u00e2 $.