It was a story that transcended tennis. At the 2026 Roland Garros, the world watched as 24-year-old Polish qualifier Maja Chwalińska, ranked a modest world No. 114 and without a clothing sponsor, fought her way through the draw and into the women’s singles final. Her fairytale run captured the imagination of the Parisian crowds, who fell in love with her crafty, left-handed style that brought a new dimension of guile and touch to the famous clay courts.
However, behind every great underdog story is a dedicated team, and for Chwalińska, this support system has been crucial. As she prepared for the biggest match of her life against Russian star Mirra Andreeva, the spotlight also fell on the strategists and mentors who helped guide her from the qualifying rounds to the brink of a Grand Slam title.
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The Coaching Team Behind the Fairytale
The figure often credited as the anchor of Maja Chwalińska’s team is her manager and mentor, Piotr Szczypka. Long before the bright lights of Paris, Szczypka was a constant source of support, famously helping the player secure accommodation during a past trip to the Australian Open through a social media plea to the local Polish community.
History on clay 👏
At No. 114 in the WTA Rankings, Maja Chwalinska is the lowest-ranked French Open women’s finalist since the rankings were introduced in 1975.
The lowest before now was No. 54 (Iga Swiatek, 2020). pic.twitter.com/yULAC5MlE9
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) June 5, 2026
But the primary architect of her on-court tactics is her coach, Jaroslav Machovský. The Czech coach has been a key figure in Chwalińska’s development, working to refine her game as she climbed the rankings. In the tense days leading up to the final, Machovský was seen meticulously analyzing Andreeva’s powerful game. He was a calming yet focused presence, with one pre-final report noting his only comment on the challenge ahead was a simple, but determined, “Andreeva“.
The team also included key personnel like sparring partner Peter Hajek and fitness coach Maciej Ryszczuk, all unified in their mission to prepare their player for the ultimate test on the Parisian clay.
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Context of the 2026 French Open
The 2026 French Open, the 125th edition of the tournament, ran from May 24th to June 7th. Women’s singles competition began with 128 players in the first round, with matches occurring daily. The tournament reached its crescendo with the women’s singles final scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday, June 6th, on the iconic Court Philippe-Chatrier.
As Maja Chwalińska made her improbable march to the final, she did so against the backdrop of tennis legends, with defending champion Coco Gauff and four-time winner Iga Świątek also in the field. In this high-stakes environment, Chwalińska’s story was a powerful reminder that with the right guidance and an indomitable spirit, even the most improbable dreams can come true on tennis’s grandest stage.
