.The performance in the stands at Roland Garrosu00e2 $ s Court Philippe-Chatrier was populated with vermillion banners, incorporating a glow to the already orangey air rising off the reddish clay-based court.These were Chinese flagsu00e2 $" dozens themu00e2 $" swing in boisterous assistance for Qinwen Zheng, 21, that would very soon take gold by beating Croatiau00e2 $ s Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 in the womenu00e2 $ s single people tennis final.As she set on the filth, eyes skyward and fists expanded into the Paris haze, the winu00e2 $ s gravity seemed to be to enroll: Zheng had simply created the type of background that stretched much past the coliseum and also the moment. This was Chinau00e2 $ s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the sportu00e2 $" as well as Zheng had actually made clear of the truth that the Olympics were as, or even more, essential to her than a Grand Slam.Zheng commemorates her Olympic success on August 3.Photograph: Getty Imagesu00e2 $ In China, our team always feel a countryu00e2 $ s tribute is in front of private excellence, u00e2 $ she mentioned over an early morning appointment at Nikeu00e2 $ s Athlete Property, tucked quietly between the Stade de France and the Aquatics Facility in Parisu00e2 $ s St. Denis region, the day after her victory. u00e2 $ I alleviated [the Games] differentlyu00e2 $" the feeling, the battle, the attitude: It really felt various than every other competition Iu00e2 $ ve played.u00e2 $ Born in 2002 in Shiyan, China, Zheng started participating in tennis at grow older 7. At grow older 8, she moved, without her mommy and also dad, to Wuhan for much better training, and also due to the fact that teenage years she has actually greatly admired and also emulated Mandarin sportsmens, such as the tennis superstar Li Na and also the runner Liu Xiang, who won gold at the 2004 Athens Games.u00e2 $ It was actually definitely tough, u00e2 $ Zheng claimed, recalling at those early days. u00e2 $ My mother utilized to find go to on weekends. When she left behind, I would keep her leg as well as weep. When she was gone, I will consistently hold her coat. This was till I was actually 13. After thirteen, my mom determined to stop her job as well as come remain with me full-time, only to possess better growth and also far better treatment. After that, it obtained much easier. And also our experts transferred to Europe when I was actually 17. u00e2 $.