Maja Chwalinska is into the semi-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time after defeating Anna Kalinskaya 7-6(3) 6-3.
It was an extraordinary day for the world number 114 as she forced errors from Kalinskaya’s game and frustrated the 22nd seed, scoring a monumental victory.
Chwalinska started in qualifying but has won eight matches to reach the final four and achieve her dream.
After the match Chwalinska said she hasn’t processes her achievement and the inspiration she has drawn from Emma Raducanu’s run from qualifying to US Open glory back in 2021, “I feel like I just, for some reason, I don’t process it, you know,” Chwalinska said in her press conference.
“Like, I’m just focusing on every single match. I honestly don’t feel like it’s, like, a huge, huge moment for me. But definitely after the tournament finishes, I will kind of, like, have time to, I guess, be grateful for what happened and process it as well. But, like, for now, I’m just very happy, but I know that I need to focus on the job.
“Yeah, I mean, it was such an impressive run, you know. Also, she was so young. I think she was 19, right? Do I remember correctly? 18? So, yeah, I think she didn’t drop a set, as well. So it was just incredible. Well, I feel like it’s just, you know, I think the level is, like, very close, like, the qualifying is not like much worse than the main draw.
“And the players in the qualifying, they are so good, as well. They are great competitors. We just need to kind of believe and, you know, fight and just believe that maybe some day it will click for us, as well. Yeah, that’s what I would take from this experience.”
It’s been an incredible journey for Chwalinska as she is into the semi-finals and has already achieved her goal of being in the top 100 by the end of the year.
It’s something to be proud of as Chwalinska continues to soak in the moment, “I guess that, you know, it’s a long tournament. I’m here almost three weeks now. Every day is different. Every match is different. Conditions are different,” Chwalinska analysed.
“So I had to adapt a lot. I’m very happy that I was able to do that. I think it’s something that I can be proud of, you know, in my effort to do that. Well, my goal was to be top 100 this year. That was the main goal. Coming here, my goal was to qualify. I felt like I’m doing a good job, you know, like that I do the right things and I just need to be patient for it to click. Yeah, but, like, obviously, I didn’t expect it to happen that way. But, I mean, I’m not complaining.”
It’s an even more incredible journey considering a few years ago Chwalinska took a mental health break.
A period of time where Chwalinska was struggling and one where she felt ‘lifeless,’ in her press conference Chwalinska detailed her struggles and how she has been able to turn things around, “Well, the break wasn’t very tough. Like, the tough moments were before the break, I would say. I was struggling a lot,” Chwalinska explained.
“You know, I pushed at the beginning. I thought that I just need to stay very strong, tough, and just keep practicing. Yeah, but then I just couldn’t get out of bed anymore. I was just, like, lifeless, to be honest. Yeah, I knew that I need to take a break, because otherwise I’m just not able to, like, live, I think. Yeah, I needed to take a break, and I honestly didn’t know if I’m gonna come back or not, to be, like, honest with you.
“Yeah, after, like, months, I decided to come back. I needed to kind of figure a few things in my head, I would say. Yeah. And I came back. I’m happy that I did.”
Chwalinska now has the opportunity of a lifetime as she takes on Diana Shnaider for a place in the Roland Garros final.