.The performance in the platforms at Roland Garrosu00e2 $ s Court Philippe-Chatrier was populated along with vermillion banners, adding a glow to the presently orangey air originating off the red clay court.These were Mandarin flagsu00e2 $” numerous themu00e2 $” swaying in boisterous support for Qinwen Zheng, 21, who will very soon take gold by beating Croatiau00e2 $ s Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 in the womenu00e2 $ s singles ping pong final.As she lay down on the dirt, eyes skyward as well as fists stretched right into the Paris haze, the winu00e2 $ s gravity appeared to register: Zheng had actually just shaped the type of background that extended far past the arena as well as the minute. This was Chinau00e2 $ s first-ever Olympic gold medal in the sportu00e2 $” and also Zheng had actually made clear of the reality that the Olympics were actually as, otherwise additional, vital to her than a Grand Slam.Zheng commemorates her Olympic victory on August 3.Image: Getty Imagesu00e2 $ In China, our experts constantly feel a countryu00e2 $ s respect resides in front end of private results, u00e2 $ she claimed over an early morning appointment at Nikeu00e2 $ s Sportsmen Residence, put quietly in between the Stade de France as well as the Aquatics Centre in Parisu00e2 $ s St. Denis place, the day after her conquest.
u00e2 $ I dealt with [the Games] differentlyu00e2 $” the emotional state, the match, the attitude: It really felt different than every other competition Iu00e2 $ ve played.u00e2 $ Born in 2002 in Shiyan, China, Zheng began playing tennis at grow older 7. At grow older eight, she moved, without her mom and papa, to Wuhan for much better coaching, and also since teenage years she has actually heavily appreciated and also emulated Mandarin sportsmens, like the tennis star Li Na and also the runner Liu Xiang, that succeeded gold at the 2004 Athens Games.u00e2 $ It was truly hard, u00e2 $ Zheng pointed out, recalling at those early days. u00e2 $ My mommy made use of to follow see on weekend breaks.
When she left behind, I would certainly keep her leg as well as cry. When she was actually gone, I would certainly consistently keep her coat. This was till I was 13.
After 13, my mother decided to stop her job and come remain with me full time, only to possess far better development and far better care. After that, it got simpler. As well as we transferred to Europe when I was 17.
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