Maja Chwalińska Stuns Roland Garros, Reaches First Grand Slam Quarterfinal and Earns Career-Best Payday
Polish qualifier Maja Chwalińska defeated France's Diane Parry 6-3, 6-2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, securing a career-high prize money payout of over $549,000.
A Dream Run in Paris
Maja Chwalińska's Cinderella story at Roland Garros continued on Monday as the 24-year-old qualifier dismantled home favorite Diane Parry 6-3, 6-2 to storm into the quarterfinals. The victory on the iconic Court Philippe-Chatrier marks the deepest Grand Slam run of her career and makes her only the third Polish woman in history to reach this stage in Paris, after Iga Świątek and Agnieszka Radwańska.
In the past, Maja went through a lot, she had many injuries. She was devastated, there was depression, but now she has gained self-confidence. She is more persistent, stronger and tougher. She is moving forward, slowly forward.
The Match and the Money
Chwalińska, ranked 75th in the world, controlled the match from the start against the 53rd-ranked Parry, using her crafty left-handed game full of lobs, drop shots, and passing shots to frustrate her opponent. The win guarantees Chwalińska a prize of $549,251, which translates to over 2 million Polish złoty (2,004,711 PLN gross). Before this tournament, her entire career earnings were roughly eight times less than this single paycheck.
- Completes qualifying rounds without dropping a set to enter the main draw.
- Defeats Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng in the first round.
- Eliminates Elise Mertens in the second round.
- Stuns Maria Sakkari in the third round to reach the fourth round.
- Beats Diane Parry 6-3, 6-2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier to advance to the quarterfinals.
Overcoming the Odds
Chwalińska's path to the last eight has been nothing short of sensational. She came through qualifying without dropping a set and then proceeded to eliminate a trio of established stars: Olympic champion Qinwen Zheng, Belgium's Elise Mertens, and former world No. 3 Maria Sakkari. The run is a testament to her resilience after years plagued by injuries and mental health struggles.
A Moment of Awe
Before her fourth-round match, Chwalińska took a moment during a practice session on Court Philippe-Chatrier to step off the court and photograph a commemorative plaque dedicated to Rafael Nadal. The plaque, featuring the 14-time champion's name, a footprint, and the number 14, was a brief, humanizing pause before the biggest match of her life.
Financial Lifeline and Fan Support
Just days ago, Chwalińska publicly worried about whether she could afford to continue her tournament run, noting that prize money is not transferred instantly. In response, the sports drink brand Oshee, which also sponsors Iga Świątek, stepped in to handle her logistical needs, announcing on Instagram, "Reservation made. Maja, we'll see you in the next round!"
I hope there are still some free places. Or that I have enough money. I know I will earn a lot here, but the funds are not transferred in express mode. We'll see. Pray for me.
What's Next
With her ranking set to break into the WTA top 100, Chwalińska has secured direct entry into future Grand Slam main draws. In the quarterfinals, she will play for a chance to add over $300,000 more to her historic payday.
