Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Three weeks after Maja Chualinska’s French Open is over – but her journey to the brink of her first Grand Slam title began before then.
A former Australian Open junior finalist alongside partner Paul Iga Switek, Chawalinska has spoken openly about the depression that forced her to take a break from tennis early in her professional career.
In the build-up to Roland Garros, she was playing second-tier events on the Women’s Tour across Europe.
Her French Open campaign began on Monday, May 18 with the first round of qualifying. After nine wins, teenager Mira Andreeva, standing in Chawalinska’s way, became the second qualifier to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open era.
It was not for Chualinska Fallen 6-3 6-2 Saturday to Andreeva, but finishing runner-up will have a significant impact on her life and career.
She will climb from 114th in the world to 21st on Monday, with the €1.4m (£1.21m) prize money at Roland Garros almost double her previous career haul.
“It’s been 18 years of hard work, patience and persistence,” said Chwalinska, 24, who took up tennis as a teenager.
“I had to go through a lot to be in this position. Life is strange sometimes and you have to do your thing and believe that one day it will click, and I’m glad it did.”
“It’s definitely been an unforgettable three weeks for me. I’ll never forget it.”
