24-year-old will meet Diana Shnaider in Thursday’s RG semifinals
A Polish player performing well in Paris. Sound familiar? Four-time Roland-Garros champion Iga Swiatek has been the nation's flagbearer in recent years but now there is new name in the hunt for the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen.
Welcome to the top tier Maja Chwalinska.
On Wednesday, the qualifier defied her experience and ranking to overcome No.22 seed Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3), 6-3 to book a ticket into a maiden Grand Slam semifinal.
This is only Chwalinska’s third Grand Slam main draw of her career, and before Paris her tour-level tally of clay court wins was stuck at just two. That number has now improved to seven.
It’s been a “surprise” run from the Pole’s perspective.
“My goal was to be top 100 this year. I'm very happy that I already reached it. Coming here, my goal was to qualify. I feel like I'm doing a good job, that I do the right things and I just needed to be patient for it to click,” said the 24-year-old.
“I want to leave Roland-Garros this year without any regrets. I just want to give my all.”
The world No.114 wasn’t exactly planning for a three-week stay in the French capital and was struggling to figure out accommodation for the latter stages in Paris.
“I mentioned in the interview after the match against Maria [Sakkari] that I actually struggled to pay for the hotel, because you know that we get the cheque after the tournament,” said Chwalinska
“It was a funny thing. And then the Polish company ‘Oshee’ they actually will help you with that, which is great. I'm very grateful for that.”
So with a roof over her head, Chwalinska can concentrate on her finest Grand Slam showing to date.
It hasn’t been a simple route to the major arena, she has spoken openly about mental struggles, previously associating tennis with “pressure, stress and crying”.
After losing in Wimbledon 2021 qualifying, the Pole announced on Instagram that she would take an indefinite break from tennis, having wrestled with depression for the previous two years.
“I just couldn't get out of bed anymore. I was just lifeless, to be honest,” revealed Chwalinska.
“I knew that I need to take a break, because otherwise I'm just not able to live, I think. I honestly didn't know if I'm gonna come back or not.”
Usual hobbies such as a spending time with friends, grabbing a coffee or shopping, help the lefthander to switch off. Sport is her overriding passion and during the hiatus, Chwalinska tried running and boxing, before choosing to return to tennis with the mental skillset to keep going.
“After four months, I decided to come back. I needed to kind of figure a few things in my head first… I’m happy I came back.”
Twelve months on and back at Wimbledon 2022 the Pole qualified to make her Grand Slam debut. Chipping away at results on the ITF circuit and at WTA 125 events – which are a step down from the WTA Tour – the Pole was moving in the right direction.
It's been a patient building process with plenty of outside sources of motivation.
Inspired by the ‘Big Three,’ Chwalinska has embraced competing on the ‘King of Clay,’ Rafael Nadal’s much cherished Court Philippe-Chatrier in her past two matches.
"I'm really grateful for this opportunity. It's such a beautiful court. I took a picture during a warm-up of Rafa's plaque,” added the 24-year-old. “I was very excited.”
As a junior, Chwalinska rose through the ranks with another clay court legend, her close friend Swiatek. They both made their professional debut at the same tournament in Zawada, Poland, in 2015. They have also competed together in national colours and the pair were runners-up in the Australian Open 2017 girls’ doubles.
There haven’t been chats of tactics or insights from Swiatek this fortnight, just supportive notes of congratulations.
“We’ve known each other since we were 10 years old,” Chwalinska revealed. “We definitely have a long history together, she’s a great champion and a huge inspiration for all of us in Poland.”
Rewind to US Open 2021 and Emma Raducanu pulled off a miraculous major triumph, taking the title in New York as a qualifier. Could Chwalinska emmulate the Brit?
“I think she didn't drop a set, so it was just incredible,” recalled the Pole. “I think the level is very close, the players in the qualifying are so good too. They are great competitors.
“We just need to kind of believe and fight and just believe that maybe someday it will click for us.”
It’s more than clicked for the youngster so far, who is projected to rise to the world's top 30 post Roland-Garros.
“I feel like in tennis you're always hungry. Very grateful for this moment, but I definitely want more.
“It's a long tournament. I'm here almost three weeks now. Every day is different. Every match is different. Conditions are different,” added the Pole. “I had to adapt a lot. I think it's something that I can be proud of.
“I'm like an underdog. No one really knows me. There is no story.”
That’s not the case any more. Chwalinska is just two steps away from joining Swiatek on the Roland-Garros wall of champions.
ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
