Unknown Pole Could Complete Tennis Sensation in Paris on Saturday

Maja Chwalinska, a 24-year-old Polish tennis player, stands on the brink of a remarkable achievement at the French Open. Should she win the final on Saturday against Russia's Mirra Andreeva, she would become the first qualifier in professional tennis history to win a Grand Slam tournament. This would also make her only the second qualifier in the Open Era to achieve such a feat.

“

I feel like I'm in a bubble. I don't know what's going on. I'm just happy to be here.

Chwalinska, currently ranked 114th in the world, has experienced a fairytale run in Paris. After winning three qualifying matches, she has secured six consecutive victories in the main draw, reaching her first Grand Slam final. She has lost only one set in her nine matches in the tournament. "I feel like I'm in a bubble. I don't know what's going on. I'm just happy to be here," Chwalinska said at a press conference after her semifinal win. "Right now, I'm just trying to focus on the next match, and then I'll have to find time to process it all and breathe after the tournament."

Her journey to this point has been far from ordinary. Once considered a significant talent in Poland alongside Iga Swiatek, Chwalinska's career took a different path. After a junior doubles final appearance in 2017, Swiatek rose to world number one with multiple Grand Slam titles, while Chwalinska battled on less prominent courts. She took a break from the sport in 2021 due to depression, returning to find herself ranked 346th. She has since worked her way back into the top 100.

“

Right now, I'm just trying to focus on the next match, and then I'll have to find time to process it all and breathe after the tournament.

Financially, the tournament has been transformative for Chwalinska. She arrived at the French Open without a sponsor, relying on a Polish company to cover her hotel expenses. However, her spot in the final guarantees her 1.4 million euros (approximately 10.4 million Danish kroner). A victory would double that amount. Before this tournament, her career earnings totaled 5.6 million kroner. Regardless of the final result, she will climb to at least world number 21, and potentially number 14 if she wins, marking a 100-place improvement.

“

There is no reason to pretend that anyone had expected this. I was outside the top-100, and now I am in a Grand Slam final.