Surprise finalist Maja still hungry for success

Maja Chwalinska has regained her appetite – for food and tennis – after battling in Saturday’s French Open final against Mirra Andreeva.

The Pole who began in Paris nearly three weeks ago in qualifying rounds, got as far as the title match, where she fell shorts 6-3, 6-2 against her 19-year old opponent who picked up her first Grand Slam title

Chwalinska admitted that her time in the French capital had been one of tension, affecting even her appetite.

“I was definitely stressed, but I was stressed before every single match, to be honest,” said the No. 114 who will come close to the ranking top 20 as a result of her Roland Garros run.

“I couldn’t eat for the last three weeks. Like, my coaches were eating pizza, and I was, like, No…

“I’m just actually excited to finish the tournament, and maybe the joy of eating will come back.”

The 24-year-old Pole had lost only one set in nine matches before running into top 10 opponent Andreeva.

Chwalinska said that her experience here has shown her an upwards career trajectory.

  “Honestly, I didn’t feel like I’m playing my best tennis, which is kind of weird.

“I gained a lot of confidence, because I’ve never really played against the high-ranked players before. It was the very first time that I face them.”

The runner-up admitted she is long-odds for a Wimbledon wild card, but would be happy to accept one should it be offered.

“In the last years it’s been a struggle for me on grass, honestly, but before I loved playing on grass. 

“I feel like I can use a lot of touch and slices. I move pretty well on the court, and I anticipate pretty well.

“It’s (the five-week grass season) is always exciting because it’s such a short period of time that we have on grass.

“I guess I’ll see (about a wild card)  but I’m ready for the challenge.”

She called a Wimbledon wild card “the news of a century.”

“Honestly, I don’t expect it, but I’ll see. I will treat it as a challenge. 

“It’s a new surface. I don’t have much time, but yeah, I’ll give my all.

.But I’m excited. Grass is always a nice kind of change.”

Main photo:-Maya Chwalinska hungry for success after today’s Ladies FInal loss -by Roger Parker ISF Ltd