.The performance in the stands at Roland Garrosu00e2 $ s Courthouse Philippe-Chatrier was actually dotted with vermillion ensigns, adding a radiance to the presently 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 certainly very soon take gold by defeating Croatiau00e2 $ s Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 in the womenu00e2 $ s songs ping pong final.As she set on the dirt, eyes skyward and also fists extended into the Paris haze, the winu00e2 $ s gravitation appeared to register: Zheng had actually only created the sort of history that extended much past the arena as well as the instant. This was actually Chinau00e2 $ s first-ever Olympic gold award in the sportu00e2 $" and also Zheng had actually made obvious of the simple fact that the Olympics were actually as, or even more, significant to her than a Grand Slam.Zheng celebrates her Olympic victory on August 3.Picture: Getty Imagesu00e2 $ In China, our team consistently strongly believe a countryu00e2 $ s tribute remains in front end of personal effectiveness, u00e2 $ she pointed out over a morning appointment at Nikeu00e2 $ s Athlete House, tucked inconspicuously between the Stade de France and the Aquatics Center in Parisu00e2 $ s St. Denis place, the day after her accomplishment. u00e2 $ I alleviated [the Gamings] differentlyu00e2 $" the emotional state, the fight, the mindset: It experienced different than every other tournament Iu00e2 $ ve played.u00e2 $ Born in 2002 in Shiyan, China, Zheng started participating in ping pong at age seven. At age 8, she relocated, without her mom and also papa, to Wuhan for much better coaching, and also due to the fact that adolescence she has profoundly admired as well as emulated Chinese professional athletes, like the tennis superstar Li Na as well as the runner Liu Xiang, that gained gold at the 2004 Athens Games.u00e2 $ It was actually definitely hard, u00e2 $ Zheng pointed out, looking back at those early days. u00e2 $ My mommy used ahead go to on weekends. When she left, I would keep her leg and also weep. When she was actually gone, I will constantly store her coat. This was till I was thirteen. After thirteen, my mommy determined to quit her job as well as come visit me full time, merely to have better growth as well as much better treatment. After that, it received simpler. And also we relocated to Europe when I was 17. u00e2 $.