Maja Chwalinska came to Paris with only two tour-level wins on clay. Before Roland Garros, her total career earnings were 864,030 USD. But Lady Luck had other plans, and she is now set to face Mirra Andreeva at the French Open women's singles final.
Poland's Maja Chwalinska celebrates after winning her semi-final match at Roland Garros. (REUTERS)
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During the tournament, she has earned 1,624,000 USD, surpassing her career earnings before Roland Garros. Also, players don't receive their earnings during the tournament; they get them after the final. She was worried she wouldn't be able to cover her hotel costs as she went deeper and deeper into the draw.
Polish company OSHEE came to her rescue and paid the remaining hotel fees. She reportedly also suffered from depression in the past and stopped playing tennis entirely for a period of time.
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Chwalinska has a career-high ranking of world No. 113, which she bagged on May 4, 2026. She also became the first qualifier to reach the French Open final, women or men combined.
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Chwalinska has a career-high ranking of world No. 113, which she bagged on May 4, 2026. She also became the first qualifier to reach the French Open final, women or men combined.
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During her formative years, she won the European 14-and-under doubles titles in 2015 and 16-and-under doubles title in 2016. She won both titles with Iga Swiatek. She was also a member of the Polish team which won the Junior Fed Cup in 2016.
She qualified for her first Grand Slam draw at the French Open this year. In her Paris debut, she defeated Alice Rame, Carole Monnet and Suzan Lamens. She got to the third round for the first time in her career with wins over Zheng Qinwen, Elise Merterns.
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Then she beat Maria Sakkari to reach the fourth round. After defeating Diane Parry, she reached the quarterfinals, followed by a win against Anna Kalinskaya. In the semifinals, she beat the 25th seed Diana Shnaider.
Speaking ahead of the final, she said, "I feel like I am in a bubble, I don’t know what’s going on."
"After the tournament it will be time to process it: breathe in, breathe out."
She is also a huge Roger Federer fan, and loves Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. "I'm just very grateful that I was growing up during this era. Sometimes I come back to these old matches and I watch them play, and it feels like poetry.”
Speaking to wtatennis.com, she said, "It's very new for me, the stage. I've never really been in the third round in a Grand Slam, and I'm in the fourth round right now. Coming from quallies, I obviously didn't well expect to be in this position, so it's a lot to take in. I'm just very proud of myself with the effort I put in."
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“I know that I'm playing different tennis, than most of. I don't have the [physical] conditions to play strong, so I need to develop a different kind of weapons for myself. I definitely played differently, and I think it helps me a lot against these players,” she added.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Olympics 2024, where Indian athletes will compete for glory in Paris. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Home/Sports/Tennis/French Open finalist Maja Chwalinska's stunning rise: Career earnings eclipsed after hotel-fee scare
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