If someone would tell you a Polish player would make the 2026 French Open final, your first guess probably would have been six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Świątek.
Somewhere down that list would have been Maja Chwalińska.
Yet, on Thursday, Chwalińska defeated Diana Shnaider 7-6, 6-4 in the semifinals to clinch a spot in her first major final.
Chwalińska had never made it into the French Open field before, but on Saturday she’ll have the chance to become only the second qualifier to win a Grand Slam tournament after Emma Raducanu won the 2021 US Open.
She used her scrambling skills against Shnaider, who upset top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka on Wednesday, to stay in points and help cause 36 unforced errors.
Chwalińska was asked whether she’s trying to emulate Raducanu on the clay courts.
“I think she didn’t drop a set, so it was just incredible,” Chwalińska said. “I think the level is very close, the players in the qualifying are so good too. They are great competitors.”
Chwalińska’s run to the final was so surprising that she struggled to figure out where to stay in Paris as she reached the later rounds of the two-week tournament.
“I mentioned in the interview after the match against Maria [Sakkari] that I actually struggled to pay for the hotel, because you know that we get the check after the tournament,” the 24-year-old said.
Fortunately, she got some help from home.
“It was a funny thing. And then the Polish company ‘Oshee’ they actually will help you with that, which is great. I’m very grateful for that,” she said.
Chwalińska has been open about her mental health struggles, revealing that she dealt with depression for two years before taking time off from the sport after losing in the 2021 Wimbledon qualifying.
A year later, she made her Grand Slam debut at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, and now she has made her most magical and unprecedented run yet.
Chwalińska also discussed her friendship with Świątek.
“We’ve known each other since we were 10 years old … We definitely have a long history together, she’s a great champion and a huge inspiration for all of us in Poland,” Chwalińska said.
Chwalińska could also cement her spot in Polish tennis history on Saturday, when she’ll face Russian Mirra Andreeva on Philippe-Chatrier in the women’s singles final.
