A Polish WTA star making headlines in Paris? Tennis fans have heard that story before. For years, 4-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek carried the nation’s hopes, but a new contender has now stormed into the spotlight. With Maja Chwalinska booking her place in the Grand Slam final, Poland has another dream to chase. And fittingly, it is Swiatek herself who is now backing her compatriot to go all the way and lift the trophy.

Just one day before the WTA singles final, the former world No. 1 showed her support for fellow Pole Maja Chwalinska. The 25-year-old shared a French Open graphic featuring the two finalists on her IG story.

Swiatek also included a short message for Chwalinska. She wrote “Jazda,” a Polish expression often used to mean “Come on” or “Let’s go,” while tagging the finalist Chwalinska and adding fire and strength emojis to the post.

And the former World No. 1’s support for Maja Chwalinska comes after an extraordinary run by her fellow Pole at Roland Garros. Few expected Chwalinska to still be standing this deep into the tournament, yet she has continued to defy the odds at Paris.

On Thursday, the qualifier produced another stunning result. She overcame world No. 23 Diana Shnaider, who defeated Aryna Sabalena, to secure a place in her maiden Grand Slam final.

The achievement is even more remarkable considering her limited experience at this level. Before arriving in Paris, this was only the 3rd Grand Slam main-draw appearance of her career.

Her clay-court record at tour level was also modest before the tournament began. Chwalinska had won just 2 main tour matches on the surface prior to the French Open.

That number has now jumped to eight. From the 24-year-old’s perspective, it has been a dream run that very few could have predicted. For Swiatek, however, the success of her countrywoman is something deeply personal. Their connection stretches back far beyond tennis on the professional circuit.

The two first met when they were just ten years old while training through Poland’s national tennis program. They quickly became close friends, and their bond has remained strong for the last 15 years.

As junior WTA players, they often traveled and competed together. Before long, both players were widely regarded as two of Poland’s brightest young prospects.

Their partnership produced plenty of success. Swiatek and Chwalinska won the European doubles titles in the under-14 and under-16 categories in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

The pair also helped Poland capture the Junior Fed Cup title in 2016. In the championship match, they won the decisive doubles match against a US team that included current 6th ranked ace Amanda Anisimova.

Another memorable achievement came at the 2017 AO girls’ event. They finished runners-up in the doubles competition after losing the final to Bianca Andreescu and Carson Branstine.

Swiatek’s support for Chwalinska has remained constant through both the highs and the lows. In 2021, Chwalinska announced a deliberate break from tennis as she focused on her mental health and personal well-being. 

After 12 months, she successfully came through 3 qualifying matches to make her Grand Slam debut at SW19. Following that comeback, Swiatek said, “We are best friends. I can tell you a lot about her, we have known each other since we were 10yo. I’m very happy that she is here, I’m happy for her. I know what she went through, it was difficult. She got through that and that’s the most important thing.”

Their friendship has remained visible even in recent years as well, particularly during team events such as the United Cup, where Chwalinska has often been seen supporting Iga behind the scenes, even helping her during matches with putting ice on her head. 

Now the roles have reversed. Following Swiatek’s shock 4th-round exit, she has become one of Chwalinska’s biggest supporters. 

And as the 2026 French Open final approaches, the Polish star has already made her feelings clear, standing firmly behind her childhood friend as she prepares for the biggest match of her career.

Maja Chwalinska aims to leave the French Open with any regrets

After Wimbledon 2022, Chwalinska slowly began rebuilding her career. The progress did not happen overnight, but the results gradually started to arrive. Competing on the ITF circuit and at WTA 125 events, which sit one level below the main WTA Tour, the Polish world No. 113 continued to move forward. 

Like many players of her generation, Chwalinska has been inspired by tennis’ legendary “Big 3.” The WTA ace has also embraced the opportunity to compete on Court Philippe-Chatrier, a venue closely associated with Rafael Nadal.

Yet her road to the final has not been glamorous at all. Chwalinska previously revealed that she does not have a sponsor and even found herself stressed during qualifying because of hotel booking concerns.

Now, however, her ambitions have grown much larger. Standing one match away from her first Grand Slam title, she is focused on making the most of the opportunity.

“I want to leave Roland-Garros this year without any regrets. I just want to give my all,” she added before the final against Mirra Andreeva.

Interestingly, her goals were much more modest at the start of the 2026 season. “My goal was to be top 100 this year. I’m very happy that I already reached it. Coming here, my goal was to qualify. I feel like I’m doing a good job, that I do the right things and I just needed to be patient for it to click,” 24-year-old added.

Throughout this remarkable run, there have been no tactical discussions with Iga Swiatek. Instead, the six-time Grand Slam champion has simply offered support and encouragement from afar.

“We’ve known each other since we were 10 years old,” Chwalinska explained. “We definitely have a long history together, she’s a great champion and a huge inspiration for all of us in Poland.”

Now, as the final approaches, some fans cannot help but think back to the 2021 US Open, when the Briton Emma Raducanu stunned the tennis world by winning the title as a qualifier. 

Chwalinska now stands just one victory away from producing a similarly unforgettable chapter of Grand Slam history.