Who is Maja Chwalinska? Polish Girl Creates French Open History after Reaching Final at Roland Garros

In the ongoing French Open 2026, the women’s draw has delivered one of its most improbable stories.

Unseeded Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska , ranked World No. 114, has stormed from the qualifying rounds all the way to the final - the first qualifier in the Open Era to achieve this feat at Roland Garros.

Who is Maja Chwalinska?

Born on October 11, 2001, in Miechów, Poland, the 24-year-old left-hander stands at 5’5” (1.65 m) and plays with a two-handed backhand. She began tennis at age seven and showed early promise as a junior, reaching the girls’ doubles final at the 2017 Australian Open alongside compatriot Iga Świątek.

Chwalinska turned professional but faced significant personal challenges. In 2021, at age 19, she stepped away from the sport due to depression, openly discussing how tennis had become associated with “pressure, stress, and crying.” Her courageous return highlights themes of mental health and resilience in elite sport.

Maja Chwalinska creates History

Coached by Jaroslav Machovsky, Chwalinska has rebuilt her career steadily. In 2026, she entered Roland Garros as a qualifier and has won nine consecutive matches, defeating higher-ranked opponents including Anna Kalinskaya in the quarterfinals and Diana Shnaider in the semifinals (7-6(4), 6-4). Her run has already doubled her career earnings to over $1.6 million and made her the lowest-ranked French Open finalist in the Open Era.

Chwalinska’s journey resonates far beyond the court. As Poland celebrates another deep run, she faces No. 8 seed Mirra Andreeva in the final. Whether she lifts the trophy or not, Maja Chwalinska has already scripted one of the most inspiring underdog tales in recent tennis history.

She will now take on Mirra Andreeva in the final of the Roland Garros, as the world awaits for a fairy tale finish.

Maja Chwalinska Road to Final

Qualifiers

1st Round- Maja Chwalinska beat A Rame 6-0, 6-3

2nd Round - Maja Chwalinska beat Carole Monnet 6-0, 6-1

3rd Round - Maja Chwalinska beat Suzan Lamens 7-6(7-4), 7-5

1st Round

Maja Chwalinska beat Q.W. Zheng 6-4, 6-0

2nd Round

Maja Chwalinska beat Elise Mertens 6-4, 6-0

3rd Round

Maja Chwalinska beat Maria Sakkari 1-6, 6-3, 6-2

Round of 16

Maja Chwalinska beat Diane Perry 6-3, 6-2

Quarterfinal

Maja Chwalinska beat Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(7-3), 6-3

Semifinal

Maja Chwalinska beat Diana Shnaider 7-6(7-4), 6-4