Maja Chwalińska has enjoyed a remarkable run at the 2026 French Open, surpassing all expectations to reach the semifinals as a qualifier. The unheralded Pole had only won one Grand Slam main draw match prior to becoming one of the most incredible Cinderella stories in tennis in recent years.
In the qualifying rounds, she beat Alice Rame, Carole Monnet, and Suzan Lamens. Meanwhile, in the main draw, she secured incredible victories over Zheng Qinwen, Elise Mertens, Maria Sakkari, Diane Parry, and Anna Kalinskaya. The Pole has dropped just one set in eight matches at the French Open.
As she prepares to face Diana Shnaider in the French Open semifinals, here is a lowdown on Chwalińska’s career so far.
Maja Chwalińska Made the Australian Open Junior Final Alongside Iga Świątek
Chwalińska teamed up with compatriot Świątek at the 2017 Australian Open, where they made the girls’ doubles final, losing to Bianca Andreescu and Carson Branstine. Together, they also helped Poland win the Junior Fed Cup in 2016.
In 2022, Świątek commented on her longtime friendship with Chwalińska.
“We’re best friends. I could say a lot about her; we’ve known each other since we were 10. I’m so glad she’s here. I’m happy for her. I know what she’s been through. It was hard for her. She got through it, and that’s what matters most,” Świątek said via Dawid Żbik.
Świątek, a four-time French Open champion, will certainly be cheering on Chwalińska as she looks to make more history in Paris.
Chwalińska Will Make More Money at the 2026 French Open Than Her Entire Career Earnings in Tennis
According to the WTA Tour, Chwalińska has made $864,030 in prize money over the course of her tennis career. Even if she loses in the semifinals, the Pole will pocket around $875,000 in prize money at the 2026 French Open.
Chwalińska is also set to move up to at least 30th in the WTA Rankings on the back of her historic run at Stade Roland-Garros. She started the French Open 114th in the WTA Rankings, making this undoubtedly one of the greatest Grand Slam runs of all time.
Only One Other Player Has Matched Chwalińska’s French Open Feat
Chwalińska is only the second qualifier in French Open history to reach the semifinals in women’s singles. The only other player to have accomplished that is Nadia Podoroska of Argentina. She made the French Open semifinals as a qualifier in 2020, before losing to eventual champion Świątek.
Maja Chwalińska Spent Time Away From Tennis Due to Depression
Chwalińska took an indefinite mental health break from tennis in 2021 after suffering from depression. The Pole felt she had lost her passion for tennis and was unsure whether to return to the sport.
However, she returned to competition later that year and made her Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon less than a year later.
Chwalińska suffered another blow in 2022, undergoing knee surgery in September and withdrawing from the Australian Open the following year. Other injuries also forced her to spend time on the sidelines before her return to the WTA Tour.
Chwalińska Has 7 ITF Titles
Over the course of her career, Maja Chwalińska has had to toil hard on the ITF level. She has made 11 singles finals at the ITF level, winning 7 titles, including 5 on clay. She has also won 3 titles at the WTA 125 level, all on clay. In doubles, Chwalińska has won 11 ITF titles and 3 WTA 125 titles.
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Chwalińska relies on her patient and defensive style of play, which works well on the slower clay courts. She covers the court well and is a shrewd counterpuncher, making her very difficult to defeat on the red dirt.
