Maja Chwalinska makes difficult decision as Poland prepare for Billie Jean King Cup without Swiatek
WTA
Maja Chwalinska has withdrawn from Poland's upcoming Billie Jean King Cup tie against Sweden, dealing another significant blow to the national team ahead of their November 20-21 encounter. The 25-year-old announced her decision on Instagram, explaining that she is still experiencing health problems following an exhausting season and does not feel ready to compete at her best.
The withdrawal is particularly disappointing given the circumstances surrounding Chwalinska's original selection. The Wuhan champion had been expected to lead Poland in the absence of Iga Swiatek, Magdalena Frech and Magda Linette, with her outstanding breakthrough season making her the team's main singles attraction.
However, the world No. 12 has not competed since winning the WTA 1000 title on October 18 and has also withdrawn from tournaments in Ningbo and Tokyo.
Swiatek's absence had already been confirmed before Chwalinska's announcement, meaning Poland will now have to deal with the loss of four of their leading players. The six-time Grand Slam champion, Frech and Linette were all missing from the initial selection, while Chwalinska subsequently became unavailable because of her ongoing physical problems.
The tie against Sweden will take place in Wloclawek, with Poland still having several options available despite the growing list of absentees. Katarzyna Kawa, Martyna Kubka, Linda Klimovicova and Weronika Falkowska remain in the squad, although the Polish Tennis Association can still make changes before the November 19 deadline.
Chwalinska explains difficult decision after career-best season
Chwalinska addressed her withdrawal through a statement on social media, admitting that the physical and mental demands of the season had left her needing additional time to recover.
"After much reflection, I've made the difficult decision not to play the BJK Cup this time. This season has been very demanding, both physically and mentally, and I still have some health issues to manage," the 2026 Wuhan Open champion said in a statement. "Even though I would love to be on court representing my country, the truth is that I'm not yet ready to give everything."
"It's not an easy decision, but sometimes the most important thing is to listen to your body, be patient, and give yourself the time needed to recover properly," she added. "I thank everyone for their understanding and support, and I will keep working to get back to full strength. I wish the team the best for the BJK Cup."
The decision comes at the end of the finest campaign of her career. Chwalinska began the season ranked outside the world's top 100 before producing a remarkable run at Roland Garros, becoming the first qualifier to reach the women's singles final at the tournament. She eventually lost to Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-2, but her performance established her as one of the biggest surprises of the season.
She then achieved an even bigger breakthrough in Wuhan, winning her maiden WTA 1000 title after defeating Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals and recovering from a set down to beat Sonay Kartal 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the final. The result propelled her to a career-high ranking of world No. 11.
However, the success has come with considerable physical demands, and Chwalinska has now decided against rushing her return. Her immediate priority is recovering fully before beginning preparations for the next season.
Who could represent Poland against Sweden?
With Chwalinska also unavailable, Poland's remaining options in the announced squad are Katarzyna Kawa, Martyna Kubka, Linda Klimovicova and Weronika Falkowska. No replacement for the Wuhan champion had been officially announced following her withdrawal, although captain Dawid Celt can still make up to three changes before the November 19 deadline.
Kawa and Klimovicova provide the team with singles options, while Kubka and Falkowska also offer alternatives for the singles and doubles matches. However, the final selection and the players who will take responsibility in each match have yet to be confirmed.
Despite losing four important players, Poland will still enter the tie as favourites on paper. Sweden's highest-ranked singles player is Kajsa Rinaldo Persson, who sits well outside the world's top 200, while the visiting team also includes Caijsa Hennemann, Lisa Zaar, Lea Nilsson and Linea Bajraliu.
The stakes remain significant, as the winner of the November encounter will advance to the April 2027 Billie Jean King Cup qualifying stage, where a place in the Finals will be at stake.
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Chwalinska, meanwhile, already has another important team competition on her schedule. She has been named in Poland's squad for the 2027 United Cup, where the defending champions will begin their title defence in January. With Swiatek also absent from that competition after opting to start her season in Brisbane, Chwalinska is expected to play a leading role alongside Hubert Hurkacz.
For now, however, the priority is getting back to full fitness. After a season that transformed her career, the Polish star has decided that taking additional time to recover is more important than adding another appearance to her calendar.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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