.The scene in the stands at Roland Garrosu00e2 $ s Court Philippe-Chatrier was actually populated with vermillion ensigns, incorporating a glow to the currently orangey air emanating off the red clay court.These were actually Mandarin flagsu00e2 $" dozens themu00e2 $" swaying in loud help for Qinwen Zheng, 21, who would very soon take gold by defeating Croatiau00e2 $ s Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 in the womenu00e2 $ s singles tennis final.As she put down on the gunk, eyes skyward and fists expanded right into the Paris fog, the winu00e2 $ s gravitational force appeared to register: Zheng had actually only created the type of past that prolonged far past the stadium and the minute. This was Chinau00e2 $ s first-ever Olympic gold award in the sportu00e2 $" as well as Zheng had actually created clear of the reality that the Olympics were as, if not more, necessary to her than a Grand Slam.Zheng commemorates her Olympic victory on August 3.Picture: Getty Imagesu00e2 $ In China, our experts always strongly believe a countryu00e2 $ s tribute remains in front end of personal results, u00e2 $ she pointed out over a morning meeting at Nikeu00e2 $ s Sportsmen Home, tucked quietly between the Stade de France as well as the Aquatics Center in Parisu00e2 $ s St. Denis place, the time after her victory. u00e2 $ I dealt with [the Video games] differentlyu00e2 $" the emotional state, the fight, the mindset: It really felt different than every other tournament Iu00e2 $ ve played.u00e2 $ Born in 2002 in Shiyan, China, Zheng began playing ping pong at grow older 7. At age eight, she moved, without her mom and also dad, to Wuhan for much better mentoring, as well as due to the fact that adolescence she has deeply appreciated as well as emulated Mandarin professional athletes, including the ping pong star Li Na as well as the jogger Liu Xiang, that succeeded gold at the 2004 Athens Games.u00e2 $ It was actually really difficult, u00e2 $ Zheng pointed out, looking back at those early days. u00e2 $ My mother made use of ahead see on weekend breaks. When she left, I would certainly secure her leg as well as cry. When she was actually gone, I will always store her coat. This was up until I was actually thirteen. After thirteen, my mother chose to stop her work as well as come remain with me permanent, only to possess far better growth as well as much better treatment. Afterwards, it obtained easier. As well as our experts relocated to Europe when I was 17. u00e2 $.