A ray of sunlight passed through the window and fell on the face of Zhang Yining, a 14-year-old girl, who was not sleepy, her eyes were burning, and she was secretly clenching her fists, listening intently to the coach's mobilization speech.
Today is finally the day of her first professional competition.
"Don't be nervous, stay calm, you have every strength to beat your opponent. The coach patted Zhang Yining on the shoulder and whispered in her ear. Zhang Yining took a few deep breaths, nodded, and looked at the field with his eyes like torches.
In the first game, Zhang Yining's opponent was the national junior champion Donna at the time. From the start of the match, Donna played at a high level, pulling one back after losing the first game.
"I won! I really won!" Zhang Yining raised his hands high and jumped happily. She managed to defeat a championship-level opponent in her first professional bout, and she was speechless with emotion.
In the audience, people were stunned. No one believed that a 14-year-old girl could beat the strongest champion. "Oh my God, she's a genius! Someone lamented.
Time flies, Zhang Yining participated in one important event after another, but unfortunately failed repeatedly and did not have a chance to stand on the podium. At the 1997 World Table Tennis Championships, she only won the second place in women's singles and the third place in women's doubles.
Just one step away from the World Championship, she was anxious.
"I've got to get a Grand Slam!" Zhang Yining clenched his fists and muttered to himself. In the boring training every day, this sentence echoed repeatedly in her mind. In order to achieve her dream, she trained hard, day in and day out.
Finally, in the 1999 World Cup, Zhang Yining got his wish and won the first world championship of his career.
However, the good times were short-lived. In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Zhang Yining was not selected. It hit her hard.
"Why? Why don't you give me a chance? I could have won the championship!" She wept sadly, her fists clenched tightly.
Just when Zhang Yining was depressed, the 2002 Busan Asian Games came. This is an opportunity to prove yourself again! But the opponent in the final was Wang Nan, the "first sister of women's table tennis" who was almost invincible at that time.
Zhang Yining knew that her strength was not as good as the other party, but she was not discouraged.
"I've finally proven myself! This is just the beginning!" Zhang Yining held the gold medal high above his head, his face full of joy.
Since defeating Wang Nan in 2002, Zhang Yining seems to have grown wings, winning consecutive battles in various competitions, and finally ushered in his golden age.
In 2003, Zhang Yining participated in the World Table Tennis Championships for the second time and won two individual championships. "I'm so excited to finally achieve my dream for many years!" She clasped her hands together and thanked her teammates and coaches for their encouragement over the years.
After that, Zhang Yining won the women's singles gold medal for the first time at the 2004 Athens Olympics, realizing the dream of "Grand Slam". In 2006, he defended his world title again. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, she successfully defended her title at home and continued her glorious history.
So far, Zhang Yining has dominated the world table tennis arena for 6 consecutive years. As the first table tennis player to win the Olympic singles "double championship", she has made great contributions to the cause of Chinese table tennis.
In 2009, 28-year-old Zhang Yining suddenly announced his retirement and marriage at the peak of his career.
"How is that possible? She could fight for many more years!" The teammates looked at each other in disbelief at the news.
"She's here to marry a wealthy family, for money!" The audience talked a lot, and many questioned Zhang Yining's motives.
In the face of all kinds of suspicions, Zhang Yining didn't explain, just smiled. In fact, the real reason for her retirement is very simple. In the glorious process of winning all 602 battles, she has no regrets, she has realized all the dreams of a table tennis player, she feels that it is time to retire and enjoy life.
"My career is complete, it's time to live a peaceful life and take care of my family. Zhang Yining muttered to herself. When she held her husband's hand and looked forward to her future life, the news had already exploded.
"How can the Great Demon King give up halfway?"
"We're counting on her to do the best!"
All kinds of incomprehension and accusations drowned Zhang Yining. She could only shake her head and ignore it.
Unlike many speculations from the outside world, Zhang Yining lives a very happy life after marriage. She didn't stretch out her hands to eat like a "wealthy wife", but lived a simple and ordinary life.
"I'm happy to do the housework myself, it's worry-free and hygienic. Zhang Yining said to her husband while washing her clothes. She likes to spend time trimming flowers in her small yard and swimming in her pool a few laps when the sun is shining.
In 2012, Zhang Yining gave birth to a daughter. She put all her mind on taking care of the children. "I will take care of the child myself and will not ask her to do something she doesn't like.
She said softly as she hugged her daughter.
Despite his simple and stable life, Zhang Yining did not give up his table tennis career. Soon after the successful birth, she actively cheered for the Chinese national team. Now, she holds key positions in several table tennis academies and actively cultivates young talents.
Time flies, Zhang Yining is 42 years old, with a high quality of life and outstanding appearance. Her daughter looks exactly like her and is often featured on her social media.
"Our family is very happy. Zhang Yining said with a smile.
A few days ago, it was reported that Zhang Yining will serve as a coach at the Luxembourg International Youth Table Tennis Training Camp at the end of August. As soon as the news came out, fans were eagerly awaiting it and posted on social networking sites.
"The queen is coming back!
"I hope to see the demeanor of the Great Demon King again!"
"She can definitely cultivate more talents!"
Seeing the messages of netizens, Zhang Yining couldn't help but hook the corners of his mouth. Indeed, table tennis is a career she loves immensely. As an athlete, she created the glory of an era.
As a wife and mother, she tastes a happy and happy family life. Zhang Yining can be said to be a unique all-round woman.
"I will try my best to spread table tennis and make more young people enjoy this sport. Zhang Yining muttered to herself. She understands her responsibility to the cause.
Maybe one day, she will return to the Chinese national team and achieve another great result for her motherland.
"Diva, we will always support you!" Countless fans are looking forward to her return. After all, there are too few and too few positive women like Zhang Yining.