Maja Chwalińska's Inspiring Journey to the French Open Final
She couldn’t pay her hotel bill: Meet Maja Chwalińska, the qualifier who battled depression and financial struggles to reach the French Open final
Image: The Economic Times
Polish tennis player Maja Chwalińska, ranked outside the top 100, has reached the 2026 French Open final after overcoming significant personal and financial challenges. She will face Mirra Andreeva in the final, marking a historic achievement as the first qualifier to reach this stage at Roland-Garros.
- 01Maja Chwalińska is the first qualifier to reach the French Open final in history.
- 02She secured at least €1.4 million ($1.63 million) for reaching the final, with a potential prize of €2.8 million ($3.25 million) if she wins.
- 03Chwalińska struggled to pay for her hotel during the tournament, with financial support from Polish company Oshee.
- 04She has openly discussed her battle with depression, which led her to step away from tennis in 2021 before making a comeback.
- 05Chwalińska's semifinal victory over Diana Shnaider was a key moment in her tournament run, defeating a player who had previously upset the top seed.
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Maja Chwalińska's remarkable journey at the 2026 French Open has captivated audiences, as she became the first qualifier to reach the final of this prestigious tournament. Starting from outside the top 100, she battled through three qualifying matches and advanced to the final after defeating Diana Shnaider in the semifinals. Despite her success, Chwalińska faced financial hardships, struggling to cover her hotel expenses during the tournament. However, support from the Polish company Oshee alleviated some of her financial stress. By reaching the final, she has guaranteed herself a minimum prize of €1.4 million (approximately $1.63 million), with a potential total of €2.8 million (around $3.25 million) if she wins. Chwalińska has also been candid about her mental health struggles, having dealt with depression that led her to take a break from tennis in 2021. In the final, she will compete against 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva, ranked No. 8 in the world, marking a significant milestone in her career.
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Chwalińska's success at the French Open has significant implications for her career and financial stability, inspiring many in Poland and beyond.
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