All eyes will be on Philippe Chatrier later today, as Maja Chwalinska aims to complete her unprecedented run at Roland Garros with a win over Mirra Andreeva in the final.
This marks potentially one of the most unexpected showdowns in recent memory for a Grand Slam title, pitting two players who have never reached a major final before against one another.
Whilst the Russian boasts experience of making deep runs at this kind of event, her opponent certainly does not.
In fact, Maja Chwalinska only gained entry into Roland Garros through qualifying; to see her now in the final is truly astounding.
That is why, when speaking ahead of the final later today, John Isner had a bold statement to make about the 24-year-old.
John Isner names Maja Chwalinska’s run at Roland Garros as the story of the year
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, the big-serving American, who retired in 2023, praised Chwalinska’s game: “She moves incredibly well. She is clearly full of confidence, but she is making the right decisions almost every time.
“Not often do you see women, the WTA players, hit a high heavy ball and then think ‘boom, I am going to sneak in and knock off a volley’. It’s not that common on the WTA Tour, and she is doing it. It’s amazing to watch.”
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He then uttered his huge claim: “This is not hyperbole in my mind. This is the best story of the year in tennis, certainly on the women’s side. You could make an argument for tennis in general.
“To have someone come from qualies, who does not have a clothing sponsor, who had to check out of her hotel and needed to get a new hotel room because it ran out.”
Sam Querrey reinforced this by recalling a story he heard from Chwalinska earlier in the event, adding: “Earlier in the week she was at a hotel and booked her hotel for the first couple of rounds through the main draw. When she kept winning, she had to extend, but she did not have enough money. So the Polish tennis federation had to help her so she could keep extending that hotel room.”
Isner felt this only added to his argument, but questioned the validity of the story: “That is the story as we are hearing it. It doesn’t sound true to me! Also, if you are the hotel, you are like put an Instagram photo up, your room is for free now! That story does sound fishy!”
Maja Chwalinska will still need a wildcard for Wimbledon
Given Isner has named this the best story of the year, we could also have the most shocking one off the back of Chwalinska’s run in Paris.
After all, the Polish star will find herself in a unique position heading to Wimbledon, regardless of whether she wins the title or not.
Given her run, she will skyrocket up the rankings, already sitting at a live ranking of 21.
That should be more than good enough to secure her a main draw spot at the next major, but due to the rankings being taken before Roland Garros, Chwalinska will actually need a wildcard for Wimbledon, or else face entering through qualifying.
Maja Chwalinska must surely now be given a Wimbledon wildcard! 🍓
Querrey reacted by adding: “If she wins this, I think she gets a wildcard into Wimbledon main draw. If she does not win it, I don’t think she gets a wildcard into Wimbledon.
“Last year Lois Boisson had the same issue; she made the semi-finals, she did not get a wildcard into Wimbledon.
“Chwalinska is in a final so it’s a little different, but that’s going to be a fun storyline in a few weeks!”
