ROLAND GARROS

June 1, 2026

Maja Chwalinska

Press Conference

M. CHWALINSKA/D. Parry

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Maja, congratulations on reaching the quarterfinals of Roland Garros. You have come from qualifying to the quarterfinals. When did you think that this run would be possible?

MAJA CHWALINSKA: Well, it's definitely a big surprise for me, and I didn't expect it, surely. So, yeah, I'm definitely overjoyed. Yeah, so I tried to, like, enjoy this moment today, but tomorrow we start preparing for the next round.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Having three rounds of qualifiers up until now, how are you feeling physically?

MAJA CHWALINSKA: I mean, I felt kind of good today. I felt much worse during the match against Maria. I felt, I mean, pretty good today. I think the weather helps, as well. I'm very grateful that it's not as hot as it was. So, yeah, I'm feeling good.

Q. Was there a specific point during your run, whether it's qualifying or the matches in the main draw, that you understood, like, your level can take you far in this tournament, or you're playing really, I don't know, over yourself?

MAJA CHWALINSKA: Not really. I just focus on every single match, you know. I knew that everyone here is just a very good player, very challenging player. So I knew that I need to play my best to win against these girls.

Yeah, I was just focusing on every single match.

Q. We love the story of moments where things click and that's explains why. There's a progression. Do you remember any specific moment this season where maybe your game started to click for you or mentally, you were, like, oh, okay, I'm reaching a new step?

MAJA CHWALINSKA: Well, I had a few tournaments this year that I felt like my level is improving, for sure. So, yeah, there were some moments, for sure. I didn't expect to be in quarterfinals, but yeah, I felt like I'm going in the right direction, you know.

Q. Your ranking has improved dramatically, so that makes it a lot easier for you going forward. How is that for you, knowing you don't have to qualify for some big tournaments coming up?

MAJA CHWALINSKA: Yeah, well, it's great. It was my goal for this season to be top 100. I'm very happy that I already reached it.

But, yeah, I mean, I feel like in tennis you're always hungry, you know. You kind of, like, set one goal, but then you reach it and you want more.

Very grateful for this moment, but I definitely want more.

Q. Serena Williams has confirmed now that she's coming back. I just want to know your reaction to that and what memories maybe you had of watching her when you were younger?

MAJA CHWALINSKA: Well, I mean, it's great. It's a great story, for sure. She's, I mean, a legend. Like I would say nothing. She's just the best tennis player in the history. Yeah, it's amazing. I hope I'll see her somewhere (smiling).

Yeah, of course I grew up watching her. I remember even, like, when I think I was, like, maybe 9 years old, I started to play tennis, you know, and she played in the finals against Henin I think in the Australian Open. Yeah, it was just one of these, like, first tennis memories for me.

Q. You had the opportunity today to play on Chatrier, the center court. How was that experience, especially playing against a French opponent, and if it compares to any other match you have ever played?

MAJA CHWALINSKA: Yeah, I'm really grateful for this opportunity. It's such a beautiful court. You know, I took a picture during the warm-up of Rafa's plaque (smiling).

I was very excited. Yeah, so I knew coming in that it's going to be a very tough match, you know, with the French crowd, as well, but they were very respectful, I think. They supported Diane but me as well. I was very grateful for that.

Yeah, so definitely I'm very happy for this experience.

Q. You say you have the feeling you have improved this season. Can you develop this idea in some way? Did you change something in your training?

MAJA CHWALINSKA: Well, I started working with, like, a new fitness coach last year, and I knew that, like, I need time to kind of, like, get used to the new training.

But I felt like I'm improving a lot. It just allowed me to be much more aggressive on the court. Also, like, keep the intensity more than before.

So, yeah, that was, I think, the main thing.

Q. I just wondered, with the draw opening up, whether you feel like this opportunity is actually harder because there is more expectation, given that, you know, big names are no longer in the tournament. If you do start thinking like that, how do you cope with that, kind of those thoughts coming in?

MAJA CHWALINSKA: I mean, for me, it's, like, whoever I'm playing, I'm lower in the rankings, so it doesn't matter for me if it's open or not (smiling). You're saying it's open, but for me, everyone here is higher in the ranking than me. So they are the favorites to win.

I'm like an underdog. No one really knows me. So, yeah, like, there is no story (smiling).

Q. You said you weren't expecting a quarterfinal in the second week, so how do you deal with, I don't know, hotel, changing plans, doing all this extra stuff that comes with continuing in the tournament?

MAJA CHWALINSKA: Well, yeah, it was kind of a fun thing. I mentioned in the interview after match against Maria that I actually struggled to pay for the hotel, because you guys know that we get the check after the tournament (smiling).

So it was a funny thing. And then the Polish company, Oshee, they actually will help you with that, which is actually great. I'm very grateful for that.

So I thought that I said something stupid, but actually, it kind of, like, developed as a fun thing.