Maja Chwalińska’s Historic Run at the French Open

The French Open has witnessed frequent success from Polish players in recent years, earning it the nickname “Poland Garros.” Iga Świątek has often been the Polish representative, reaching the semifinals five times between 2020 and 2025. However, this year, Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk defeated Świątek in the fourth round, leaving a spot open for another player from Poland.

Maja Chwalińska’s Impressive Journey

Maja Chwalińska stepped into the spotlight as she reached the semifinals in her first appearance in the main draw at Roland Garros. Ranked 114th in the world, Chwalińska defeated No. 22 seed Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3), 6-3. This victory made her the second Polish woman, after Świątek, to reach the French Open semifinals in the Open Era as a qualifier.

The next day, Chwalińska recorded her ninth consecutive victory by overcoming Diana Shnaider, who had previously defeated Aryna Sabalenka. Chwalińska won 7-6(4), 6-4, making history as the lowest-ranked finalist at the French Open in the Open Era. Her success on the court has been both a personal and financial transformation, significantly increasing her career earnings.

Overcoming Challenges

Chwalińska’s composure has been crucial in her breakout tournament. A promising junior, she reached the Australian Open girls’ doubles final with Świątek in 2017. However, her career faced setbacks due to injuries and depression. After knee surgery in 2022 and a break from tennis, she resurfaced, primarily competing in WTA 125 tournaments. Her only Grand Slam victory until Roland Garros was at Wimbledon four years ago.

“I was struggling a lot. I thought that I just need to stay very strong and tough…”

Chwalińska shared that taking a break was necessary to regain her strength and mental health. She returned to the court determined and ready to compete against tougher opponents.

Handling Tough Competition

The 24-year-old has proven fearless on the bigger stages against higher-ranked players. Before reaching the French Open final, her highest-ranked victory was against Zheng Qinwen. Her journey included wins over No. 23 seed Elise Mertens and 2021 semifinalist Maria Sakkari. Polish sponsor Oshee stepped in, easing her financial concerns with sponsorship support.

Chwalińska noted the competitiveness of qualifying rounds, recognizing that many talented players don’t reach the main draw. Her perseverance and trust in her game have paid off, stepping confidently into each match.

A Unique Playing Style

Chwalińska’s unorthodox style, honed from her days as a shorter junior player, employs slice, spin, and drop shots that disrupt her opponents’ rhythm. Her diverse strategies mirrored a chess player’s tactics, earning her victories on varied conditions in Paris.

Her anonymity on the circuit has played to her advantage, catching opponents by surprise. Despite only facing Sakkari once before, Chwalińska used her tactical skills to great effect against Kalinskaya and Shnaider.

Preserving her momentum, Chwalińska manages her phone use strictly, maintaining focus after each win. By limiting distractions, she stays mentally prepared for her next challenge.