Polish qualifier Maja Chwalińska stuns Roland Garros, reaches final with lifetime prize
Ranked 114th and without a sponsor, Maja Chwalińska became the first qualifier to reach the women's French Open final, earning more in one tournament than in her entire career.
Cinderella run in Paris
Maja Chwalińska arrived at Roland Garros as a qualifier ranked 114th in the world. She has since beaten a series of higher-ranked opponents, capped by a 7:6(4), 6:4 semifinal victory over Diana Shnaider, to become the first qualifier ever in the women's final at the French Open. "It's like a dream. I still don't know what's happening," Chwalińska said afterward.
Financial turning point
Before Paris, Chwalińska had earned about $864,000 in her entire career, playing mostly lower-tier events without a clothing or equipment deal. By reaching the final she has already secured at least $1.624 million, and a victory on Saturday would bring roughly $3.25–3.3 million. After French taxes, the finalist prize would leave an estimated $900,000–980,000 net.
- Career earnings before Roland Garros
- 864000 $
- Finalist prize (2026)
- 1624000 $
- Winner prize (2026, approx.)
- 3275000 $
Reactions and global praise
The 24-year-old's run has drawn admiration from throughout tennis. Former British player Anne Keothavong told TNT Sports:
Keothavong added she was "moved" by the story and praised Chwalińska's composure. Polish players also reacted publicly; Urszula Radwańska wrote on X that it was "a story, a tournament, and emotions" and urged fans to support Chwalińska. Iga Świątek, who once played doubles with Chwalińska as a junior, has not posted a public comment, though the two are known to respect each other greatly.Sorry, Maja, but your drop shot is a joke. Can you think of any other player who plays it as well as her?
A manager's relief
Piotr Szczypka, Chwalińska's manager, described the emotional strain of supporting a player without major financial backing.
He added:I was so many times on the verge of a nervous breakdown, to make this work. I just wanted a round, two, to live normally. So I wouldn't have to go around begging for survival.
Now everything is falling off me. I think I will go on my knees to Częstochowa, because I don't know what to say.
The final challenge
Chwalińska will face world No. 8 Mirra Andriejewa in the final on Saturday, June 6, at 15:00 local time. The Russian has dropped only one set en route to the final, and French daily Le Parisien noted she represents "an obstacle of a completely different nature." Yet, as the paper mused, "does logic still count in Maja Chwalińska's crazy journey?"
