Zheng makes tennis history for Asia

Chinese tennis phenom Zheng Qinwen, whose unprecedented victory on Saturday at Roland Garros won her the coveted title of the first Olympic singles champion in Asia, is primed to fill the big shoes of her legendary predecessors and strongly represent China in the global sporting community.

The 21-year-old established her spectacular career milestone by beating Croatia's Donna Vekic in straight sets at the renowned red-clay venue in Paris, and gave China its second Olympic tennis gold after the women's doubles title won by Li Ting and Sun Tiantian at the 2004 Athens Games.

Saturday's historic moment propelled Zheng into the pantheon of Chinese sporting greats, such as former NBA All-Star Yao Ming, 110m hurdles champion Liu Xiang and two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na. She is now representing the confident and vibrant image of Chinese youth on the international stage, thanks to her impressive foray into a traditionally Western-dominated professional sport.

Zheng, who hails from Hubei province, said she is honored to join all the history-makers, but will stay sure-footed and laser-focused on chasing more consistent breakthroughs.

"To be honest, I always dreamed of one day joining the likes of Yao, Liu and Li, and to be as successful and influential as they were as athletes," Zheng told China Daily on Sunday at the Nike Athlete House, next to the Olympic Village.

"I've been working so hard toward that goal, and (have) finally proved that I have what it takes to become the new leader of Chinese tennis. … I feel so privileged and honored," she said.

"Yet I know where I am, having also pulled through so many defeats, and where my remaining goals are. I have plenty more dreams to realize, such as Grand Slam titles, so I won't stop pushing," she added.