The World Cup begins tomorrow, and many will watch the matches. Soccer reminds us of something we must not forget: life is not a race to show off on our own, but a path we learn to walk together. Anyone who does not know how to pass the ball, even if they have talent, has not yet understood the game. Anyone who does not know how to live with and for others has not yet understood life. #ApostolicJourney
@Mr_Ives_ It all goes back to the Raiders v Broncos match in the first round of the finals. If Raiders had won that, the Broncs don’t go on to win the comp
Maja Chwalinska did not win Roland Garros, but she won the hearts of everyone over the last 3 weeks.
A journey that started from qualifying.
From world #114 to a new career high ranking of world #21.
The first qualifier in history to reach the Roland Garros final.
To think that in 2021, she stopped playing tennis for months due to a battle with depression and self doubt… Back then, it would’ve been nearly impossible for her to imagine herself in a Grand Slam final.
Her father worked as an electrician in the coal mines and her mother is a receptionist.
They worked tirelessly to support her dreams from the time she was little, and they uplifted her when she had to stop playing tennis to protect her mental health.
Her run in Paris reminded the world that if you work hard at your passion every day, if you have people who love you, and if you never give up on yourself, the ranking next to your name holds no meaning…
You can still make your own fairytale.
Congratulations on everything, Maja. 🥹
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Rafa Nadal only lost to 3 players at Roland Garros in his career. All 3 of those players have made the final at least twice (Soderling, Djokovic, Zverev).
No one can claim that this is just a lucky run from Chwalinska. She had to go through:
- Olympic Gold medallist Zheng
- Top 20 gatekeeper Mertens
- Former RG Semi-Finalist Sakkari
- Home favourite Parry
- 2 additional Top 20 players: Kalinskaya, Shnaider
Ombelieable
One day you beat Sabalenka 6-0 in the third, winning 11 of the last 12 games. The next day, you're out in straight sets to the World No. 114. Toughest sport in the world.
Maja Chwalinska has changed her life at this year’s Roland Garros.
Her total career earnings before Roland Garros:
$864,030.
What she’s earned at this tournament:
$1,624,000.
Because the players don’t get the money til after the tournament, she was worried she wouldn’t be able to cover her costs for a hotel as she went further and further in the draw.
Polish company OSHEE had to step in and pay for the rest of her hotel fees.
It’s nothing short of heartwarming to see this happening to such a humble person who has overcome her share of struggles.
She overcame a battle with depression and stopped playing tennis entirely for a period to take care of her mental health.
She wasn’t sure if she’d ever come back to this sport.
Absolutely unreal story. 🥹
🇵🇱❤️