Derek Bohan

Cats, dogs, music, poetry, sport and politics. #CeasefireNow #RefugeesWelcome

[The Husky @Mr_Husky1]

A 24-year-old Polish tennis player arrived in Paris last week ranked 114th in the world, with no sponsors, no guaranteed income, and no certainty she could even pay for her hotel room.

She had to win three qualifying matches just to enter the French Open main draw. Prize money is only paid at the end of the tournament, so a Polish sports drink brand quietly stepped in and covered her hotel bill.

Her name is Maja Chwalinska. And today, she plays in the French Open final.

Before this tournament, she had won exactly one Grand Slam main draw match in her entire career. She had battled depression so severe that in 2021 she couldn't get out of bed. She underwent knee surgery in 2022. She spent years grinding through small tournaments across Europe just to stay afloat.

Then she arrived in Paris, won three qualifiers, and kept winning. Zheng Qinwen. Elise Mertens. Maria Sakkari. Diana Shnaider. Nine straight matches. One set dropped.

She is now the first qualifier in French Open history to reach the final. The last time a qualifier reached a Grand Slam final, it was Emma Raducanu at the 2021 US Open. Raducanu won.

By simply making the final, Chwalinska has earned more prize money than her entire career combined. The runner-up cheque alone is $1.6 million. If she wins today, she takes home $3.25 million.
One week ago she couldn't pay for her hotel room.

[Derek Bohan @DBDUB69]

@billbarnyard Thank you

[Derek Bohan @DBDUB69]

Esther went to sleep yesterday. She was a great girl and we will miss her.

[Derek Bohan @DBDUB69]

@alijmold @ElizGriff2016 Thank you

[Derek Bohan @DBDUB69]

@donald_hackler Thank you, she was a great old friend

[Derek Bohan @DBDUB69]

@madridnantes Thanks Maria - it was very quick in the end. The poor girl.

[The Celtic Way @TheCelticWay3]

You fundamentally just wouldn't be allowed to say this on British TV.

Well done to Richie Sadlier.

[dave ainsworth @daveainsworth63]

Remembering the great English cricketer Bob Willis who was born on this day in 1949. He died in 2019. 🏏 #BobWillis #England #WarwickshireCC #SurreyCC

[Derek Bohan @DBDUB69]

@its_mizuko_ 360

[Derek Bohan @DBDUB69]

@IrishRail why is northbound dart which has just left Connolly now stopped outside clontarf road?

[Derek Bohan @DBDUB69]

@bagshaw2112 W

[Derek Bohan @DBDUB69]

@IrishRail Thanks

[I ❤️ Snooker @ILoveSnooker_]

Jimmy White clearing the table with three reds and the colours in just 70 seconds on Big Break! 🔥

[Philip Nolan @philipnolan1]

John Carney is on with Brendan O’Connor. He wrote and directed one of my favourite films, the wonderful #SingStreet (I’ve seen it far too often than is healthy!), and he gave Jack Reynor one of the finest lines ever: “No woman can truly love a man who listens to Phil Collins”. 😉

[Harry Eccles @Heccles94]

I seem to have upset the @Nigel_Farage fan club - so let me be clear.

This man sows hate, lies and division.

He is a grifter and a conman.

He does not represent the vast majority of Britons.

RT if you agree

P.s. multiculturalism is great.

[Derek Bohan @DBDUB69]

@KTHopkins You spelt her name wrong - do it again

[Zarah Sultana MP @zarahsultana]

Please retweet.

[Derek Bohan @DBDUB69]

@IrishRail What is the impact of this on southbound darts from Raheny? Will the 9.26 southbound to Raheny still run on time?

[Mr Benn @thebowlerhatman]

Thanks BAFTA for your 'in memory of' section.
We have lost lots of legends.
But, I am a bit upset you didn't include Ray Brooks.
He had a long successful career in film & tv & brought happiness to millions of children by narrating Mr Benn.