How did Zheng Qinwen spend her time on the sidelines after elbow surgery?

Zheng Qinwen's nearly three-month sabbatical from tennis after elbow surgery this summer was productive.

"I learned Spanish. I read books. I took classes. It was a really good life," confessed the Olympic champion after a winning return to the China Open on Saturday in a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Colombia's Emiliana Arango on Saturday.

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China's top player admitted that playing at the WTA 1000 event "wasn't in [the] plan" for her recovery, and that she's competing at one of her country's signature events against the wishes of her team.

"In every training session, I see those fans and I said, 'I really want to play in front of these people,'" she said.

"On court today, people were very passionate," she added. "I received encouraging words. I got Labubu toys. I got two key chains in my bag. These are from my fans. I know my fans missed me in the past two months."

Zheng believed that the stars aligned in more ways than one for a winning return.

Set to celebrate her 23rd birthday on Oct. 8, she said that eight was a "good number" after she was informed that it was also 88 days since the last time she played: a loss to Katerina Siniakova in the first round at Wimbledon.

"I think the things I missed the most is to compete with others players because during these days, I only can see them on TV," the Olympic champion added. "I was sometimes laying on my bed because I just finished the surgery. I wish I could be in US Open, but I couldn't move my arm still in that moment.

:I'm just really happy to come back and compete again. Of course, I miss all the fans who are cheering up for me. At the same time missed adrenaline, missing the pressure to be back on court."

Saturday’s match was Zheng’s third meeting with Arango, and the world No. 9 improved her record to 3-0 without the loss of a set. That comfort may have played a part in her quick success, with Zheng confessing that she still isn't at 100% physically.

"Like 80%, 70%, whatever, but I'm able to compete," she said. "The recovery process is very long. At the beginning I heal really fast. Somehow when it end up to the last 20%, somehow it just didn't gets better. I check with my team and they told me, You don't have any risk to play matches. It depends on you.

"I love to play here in China. I make a tough decision I'm going to step on the court and let's see what's going to happen during the match. So far was pretty good still."