Chwalinska: "When I started playing tennis, everything revolved around Federer"

Pedro de Pablos | 4 Jun 2026 | 21.20

Chwalinska: "When I started playing tennis, everything revolved around Federer." Source: Getty Images.

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Maja Chwalinska is the great revelation of Roland Garros 2026. After playing the qualifying rounds and starting the tournament as the world number 114, the Polish tennis player has made it to the final and will rise to at least the 21st position in the WTA rankings, which is an unprecedented achievement in Paris. In a subsequent press conference, Maja revealed that she is a tennis geek and that her idol is Roger Federer.

Chwalinska has admitted that she watches a lot of tennis, and when she started playing Roger Federer was her role model. Additionally, she has also expressed her admiration for the other members of the 'Big Three', and even mentioned that to relax today, she will watch some tennis, as if entering the Philippe Chatrier and making history in Paris wasn't enough. Undoubtedly, a different girl, to whom this tournament has changed her life and could be the first step towards a very promising future.

Chwalinska analyzes her victory against Shnaider

It was a very demanding match, undoubtedly, both mentally and physically. The first set was a real battle. We gave it our all. So yes, I am very proud of the effort, of my effort. I am very happy with the victory.

Support from the crowd

It surprised me, it was a great moment for me. I appreciate it a lot and I am grateful. I definitely feel that the crowd helped me a lot and gave me a lot of energy today.

Feelings after reaching the final

I feel like I'm in a bubble. I don't know what's happening. I am very happy to be here. I try to focus on each match, give it my all, and after the tournament, there will be time to process it and take a deep breath.

Increased confidence round by round

It definitely grew, but I didn't have many experiences or many opportunities before playing against players of such high caliber. So, in reality, this is the first time I have this opportunity. I am happy to seize it (smiling). Now I know that my ranking will allow me to play more in higher-level tournaments. We'll see how it goes. For now, I am just trying to focus on one more match.

Recharge your batteries after so many matches

I will repeat myself: I will sleep and have my tea. I will watch something good, maybe a bit of tennis, because I am a bit of a tennis fanatic.

Superstitions during these weeks

I'm not very superstitious, I would say, but my coaches are. They eat pizza every day, seriously, every day, and we've been here for three weeks already. I mean, they're going to gain a lot of weight, guys (smiling). It's going to be terrible. But well, if they want to, I can't tell them no. Maybe it helps.

Chwalinska explains how she defends so well on the court

I think it's due to several things. First, I definitely study my opponent. I try. Second, I think it's something natural. Another thing is that watching tennis... I love watching tennis. When I was little, I watched tennis all day, every day. So I think it helps me a lot to read the game better.

Thoughts after closing the match with a passing shot

Well, honestly, I don't know what was going through my head. I was in a state of shock. Joy, surprise. So many emotions... I felt very overwhelmed.

Preparation for playing on big stages

I feel that I have always enjoyed playing in front of the crowd, even in the ITF circuit. I have always enjoyed tournaments where people are interested. I feel that tennis is more fun this way. You can share emotions with people, you can see their reactions, so I have always enjoyed it when there were people around watching. They supported me a lot today and conveyed a lot of emotions and energy to me. I think they helped me a lot.

Chwalinska and her admiration for the 'Big Three' and Alcaraz and Sinner

I was Roger's number one fan. When I started playing tennis, everything revolved around Roger. And then Rafa and then Novak. I just pray that Novak keeps playing so that I can watch him play. I am very grateful to have grown up in this era, you know? Sometimes I go back to watch those old matches, and it's like poetry, really. Nowadays, it's more about watching my friends. Sometimes, if there's a good match, I can watch it. I love watching Carlos or Jannik, but before, it was definitely about the 'Big Three'.

Changes after becoming known

For me, nothing changes, I just keep playing tennis. The scenario changed, but honestly, I just keep playing tennis and training. For me, nothing changes. I just want to win, whatever I'm playing, whatever the match. I also don't want to pretend that anyone expected this leap. I was out of the top 100, and now I'm in the final of a Grand Slam, so I feel that it's important. It's hard to process.

More sponsors and fame

For now, I am playing, so I am very grateful to the company Oshee for helping me cover my hotel expenses during these three weeks. But besides that, no, I am just focusing on tennis, and I suppose the rest will come after the tournament.