Zheng, a delighted champion: "I'm so proud of myself".

Qinwhen Zheng is an Olympic champion.

Awarded the gold medal on Saturday, at the age of 21 she experienced the greatest moment of her young career.

After an incredible tournament, in which she saved a match point in the third round before eliminating queen Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals and then claiming the gold medal against Vekic, the Chinese player can finally savour the moment.

Questioned by the press, the world number 7 reflected on the emotions she had experienced this week: "The last point (in the final), I was really nervous.

In fact, my hand was shaking. In every match, when I go to the toilet, my body shakes.

I've never been so hungry to win a match. I could have given it my all, but I know tennis doesn't work that way.

It's not like you give everything and get results all the time.

I'm really proud of myself, because this time I overcame the pressure. I went beyond my own limit.

I didn't know that until I was able to play 5 matches in a row. And 7 hours in 2 days.

I feel that here, in this tournament, I've exceeded my limits. In the future, wherever I am, I'll remember this moment and it will lift my spirits."