Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska, ranked 114th in the world, reached the French Open women's singles final on June 4 after defeating Russia’s Diana Shnaider 7-6(4) 6-4 in Paris [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. This marked her maiden Grand Slam final appearance at age 24.
Chwalinska has won nine matches at Roland Garros 2026, dropping just one set along the way. She defeated three seeded opponents, including former semi-finalist Maria Sakkari, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, and Diana Shnaider [3, 5, 6]. Her game uses variety, spin, drop shots, and lobs, aiming to disrupt opponents tactically; she is left-handed [7, 2, 3]. She said, "It's my game, it's pretty natural for me to play drop shots" [7].
Before this tournament, Chwalinska had limited success on clay, winning only two WTA main-draw matches and one Grand Slam match at Wimbledon in 2022. She had taken an indefinite break from tennis in 2021 due to depression and was unsure if she would return but made a strong comeback starting in 2023 [8, 9, 10, 3]. She described the French Open run as a dream, saying, "Every single match here is kind of crazy for me, I'm very grateful" and "Yeah, for sure. I mean I feel like I'm in a bubble, I'd say. I don't know what's going on. I'm just very happy to be here" [11, 10, 4]. She also has a small tattoo reading "free" on her left hand symbolizing mental freedom from past struggles [3].
Earlier in the tournament, Chwalinska beat Diane Parry 6-3 6-2 on June 1 to reach the quarter-finals [7, 8]. Parry, ranked 92nd and the last Frenchwoman remaining in the draw, had defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3 4-6 7-6(3) on May 30 to reach the fourth round, a first for her at Roland Garros [12]. Parry said after that win, "So happy I have experienced this match in this atmosphere, you were exceptional. It was a big day with my match and PSG's final awaiting us" [12].
Chwalinska followed her quarter-final victory by beating Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3) 6-3 on June 3, becoming only the second qualifier in the Open era to reach the French Open semi-finals [11, 9]. On June 6, she will face 19-year-old Russian 8th seed Mirra Andreeva in the final. Andreeva advanced by defeating Marta Kostyuk 6-1 6-3 for her first Grand Slam final appearance [1, 5]. Andreeva said, "It's everything that I've been dreaming of... for me, personally, it's like the number one goal in my life, the most important thing, the number one dream too" [5].
This year’s French Open women’s draw saw early exits by former major champions and top seeds such as Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, and Aryna Sabalenka [5].
Chwalinska started serious tennis training as a child in Poland and calls herself a "tennis freak." She gave up social media during the tournament to keep focused and said, "I just like playing tennis, I mean, the stage changed, but honestly, I'm just playing tennis and practicing" [10, 4, 6]. The French Open final between Chwalinska and Andreeva is scheduled for June 6 [5, 6].
