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Polish Tennis Legend Alicja Rosolska Says Goodbye at Home Tournament
Who is Alicja Rosolska?
Imagine being the best in your country at something for many years. That’s Alicja Rosolska. For a long time, she was Poland’s top female doubles tennis player.
- Doubles means two players on each side of the net (four people total).
- She specialized in this teamwork style and reached high world rankings.
- Now, at 40 years old, she has decided to retire – but not quietly. She chose to play one last tournament at home in Warsaw.
A Sudden Health Scare
Life threw a huge curveball at Alicja recently.
Important Point
In early 2024, Alicja suffered a stroke.
A stroke happens when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or reduced. It can make it hard to move, speak, or even lift an arm or leg. Alicja shared that she couldn’t raise her arm or leg at first. It was a scary, difficult time.
But she worked hard on recovery – and incredibly, she’s back on the court for a proper farewell.
The Farewell Tournament: Warsaw T-Mobile Polish Open 2026
- Name: Warsaw T-Mobile Polish Open
- Level: WTA 125 (also called a WTA Challenger)
- Surface: Hard courts (like the ones at the US Open)
- Prize Money: 100,000 euros total
- Date: Tuesday, August 4, 2026 (first round)
- Doubles Draw: Only 8 teams – a cozy, high-quality event
Why WTA 125?
It’s a tier below the biggest tours (like WTA 250, 500, 1000). Think of it as a “minor league” tournament where pros sharpen skills and earn ranking points. Winners get 125 ranking points and 5,220 euros to split.
Tuesday’s First Round Matches
Two all-Polish pairs played – and both won! Here’s how it went down.
1. Rosolska & Kubka Advance to Semifinals
| Pair | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Martyna Kubka (POL) / Alicja Rosolska (POL) | Yvonne Cavalle-Reimers (ESP) / Noma Noha Akugue (GER) | 7:6 (tiebreak 7-5), 6:0 |
- First set: Super tight! They won a tiebreak (special game to decide a tied set) 7-5.
- Second set: Total domination – 6:0 (called a “bagel” in tennis slang). The opponents didn’t win a single game.
Next up (Semifinals): They’ll face either:
- Top seeds Estelle Cascino (FRA) / Nika Radisic (SLO)
- OR Japanese duo Momoko Kobori / Ayano Shimizu
2. Falkowska & Smith Also Win – Into the Other Semifinal
| Pair | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Weronika Falkowska (POL) / Alana Smith (USA) | Madeleine Brooks (GBR) / Isabelle Haverlag (NED) [Seeded #2] | 6:2, 4:6, 10-6 |
- Three-set thriller! They lost the second set but won a match tiebreak (first to 10 points, win by 2) 10-6.
- They beat the #2 seeds – a big upset!
Their semifinal opponents:
- Wildcard pair Weronika Ewald (POL) / Daria Górska (POL)
- OR Naima Karamoko (SUI) / Lara Salden (BEL)
What’s a “wildcard”?
Tournament organizers give free entries to local or promising players who aren’t high enough in rankings to qualify automatically. It’s a golden ticket!
What Happens Next?
- Semifinals – Both Polish pairs play for a spot in the final.
- Final – Winners take home the trophy, 125 ranking points, and €5,220 (split).
- Alicja’s Goodbye – After this tournament, she’ll officially retire during a special ceremony. A legend waves farewell on her own terms.
Tournament Basics (Simple Explanation)
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| WTA | Women’s Tennis Association – runs pro women’s tennis. |
| WTA 125 / Challenger | Mid-level pro tournament. Good for points & match practice. |
| Doubles | 2 vs 2. Teamwork, quick reflexes, net play. |
| Seeded | Top-ranked pairs get a number (1, 2…) so they don’t meet early. |
| Tiebreak | Played at 6-6 in a set. First to 7 points (win by 2) takes the set. |
| Match Tiebreak | Replaces a 3rd set in doubles. First to 10 points (win by 2). |
| Ranking Points | Determine a player’s world position. More points = higher rank = better tournament entries. |
Summary
- Alicja Rosolska, Poland’s longtime doubles queen, is retiring at 40 after recovering from a stroke.
- She’s playing her final tournament at the Warsaw T-Mobile Polish Open (WTA 125).
- Day 1: She and partner Martyna Kubka won 7-6(5), 6-0 → Semifinals.
- Fellow Poles Weronika Falkowska (with American Alana Smith) also won a thriller → Semifinals.
- Only 8 doubles teams; winners get 125 points + €5,220.
- A heartfelt goodbye for a champion – on home soil, with one last fight.
FAQ
Q: What is a stroke, and how did it affect Alicja?
A stroke cuts blood flow to the brain. Alicja couldn’t move her arm or leg at first. She rehabilitated hard to return for this farewell.
Q: Why is this tournament called “WTA 125”?
It’s a Challenger-level event. The winner earns 125 ranking points – hence the name. It’s below the main WTA Tour (250, 500, 1000).
Q: What’s the difference between a tiebreak and a match tiebreak?
A tiebreak decides a set at 6-6 (play to 7). A match tiebreak replaces a full 3rd set in doubles (play to 10).
Q: Who are the “seeded” pairs?
Seeds are the highest-ranked teams placed in the draw so they avoid each other early. Here, Brooks/Haverlag were #2 seeds.
Q: Can I watch the rest of the tournament?
Yes! Check the WTA website, Polish sports channels (like Sportowefakty), or streaming platforms for live coverage of semifinals and finals.
