Maja Chwalinska’s story at Roland Garros was perhaps the most compelling of the tennis season so far.
Chwalinska, ranked 114th in the world prior to the event, came through qualifying at the French Open before going on to make the final.
The 24-year-old Pole had only ever secured one win at a Grand Slam in her career heading into the event, but she advanced to the championship match in Paris while dropping just one set.
Ultimately, Chwalinska was beaten by Mirra Andreeva in the final, with the Russian claiming her maiden Grand Slam title.
How many Grand Slams titles does Mirra Andreeva have at the same age Aryna Sabalenka is now (28)?
Aged 19, Andreeva made history in the French capital by becoming the youngest player to win the Roland Garros women’s singles title since Monica Seles in 1992.
Emma Raducanu still the only qualifier in the Open Era to win a major
Chwalinska was bidding to become just the second qualifier in the Open Era to win a Grand Slam singles title.
Only Emma Raducanu has ever achieved the feat, with the Briton doing so at the 2021 US Open aged 18.
As per BBC Sport, Raducanu said of Chwalinska: “I mean, it’s very rare to come through qualies and make it to the final.
“She did an incredible job and I was very happy to see her do so well. To see her before the tournament and the way she rose up through the tournament will do a lot for her confidence.
Which player disappointed you the most at the French Open?
There are plenty to choose from…
“I think it’s something that doesn’t happen very often in tennis, but to see her do so well and have fun and enjoy it was really special.
“What I achieved nobody has done it so far, but there is still a lot of time ahead and someone very well could do it. If I can do it then I think other people can too.”
Emma Raducanu’s run to the 2021 US Open title
Not only did Raducanu win the 2021 US Open as a qualifier, but the then-teenager went all the way in New York without dropping a set.
Raducanu did not even face a tiebreak throughout her campaign, during which she defeated two seeded players.
She took out 11th seed Belinda Bencic in the quarterfinals and overcame 17th seed Maria Sakkari in the semifinals.
In the championship match Raducanu battled past Canadian star Leylah Fernandez to hoist her first major trophy.
The 2021 US Open title remains Raducanu’s only tour-level crown to this day.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
