CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Giri Nathan

Patrick Redford

<p>Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, n+1, Texas Monthly, Air Mail, and other publications.</p>


Owen Lewis

Kathryn Xu

Elena Rybakina R of Kazakhstan celebrates during the awarding ceremony for the women's singles final match between Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus and Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan at the 2026 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 12, 2026. (Photo by Li Rui/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Tennis

The Defector Tennis Desk Takes Stock Of The U.S. Open

Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic reacts to defeating Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the fourth round on Day 8 of the US Open

There’s Still Tennis At The U.S. Open

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates defeating Mary Stoiana of the United States in the first round on Day 3 of the US Open

Alex Eala Is The Best Show In Town

Interviews

‘The Cruelest Game’ Examines Tennis As Torture

Tennis.com Lived And Died With The Internet

1978 Ladies Singles Final, Wimbledon, Chris Evert v Martina Navratilova, Wimbledon Tennis Championships, Friday 7th July 1978. Martina Navratilova wins in three sets (2?6, 6?4, 7?5), Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, together on Centre Court.

‘The Final Set’ Tells The Story Of Tennis’ Greatest Rivalry Becoming A Friendship

Marta Kostyuk Will Not Break

Boxing

Fabio Wardley Was Too Brave For His Own Good

A radar board at a tennis tournament showing a 149 mph serve

Men’s Tennis Is, Once Again, Too Fast

A view of the court at the Australian Open

How I Became A Target For Right-Wing Freaks At The Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates on the court after winning the Australian Open.

A Pure Tennis Boy

Fans line up to enter Melbourne Park ahead of day four matches at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2026.

The Australian Open Is Too Much Of A Good Thing

Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers looks on in street clothes during player introductions before a game against the Detroit Pistons

Following The Damned Pacers Through The Pits Of Hell

David Benavidez exchanges punches with Anthony Yarde in a WBC and WBA light-heavyweight title fight during Ring IV: Night of the Champions at ANB Arena on November 22, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The Fights Got Bloody In Riyadh

Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada celebrates his win over Francisco Comesana of Argentina during day two of the Rolex Paris Masters 2025 on October 28, 2025 in Nanterre, France.

Felix Auger-Aliassime Is Once Again Threatening To Turn The Corner

Lucas Schaefer Understands The Brutality, Absurdity, And Transcendence Of Boxing

Victoria Mboko of Canada reacts against Naomi Osaka of Japan during the Women's Singles Final match on day twelve of the WTA 1000 National Bank Open at IGA Stadium on August 7, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Victoria Mboko Is Here To Break Brains

A Lot Can Go Wrong While Attempting A Speed Record On Mount Everest

Iga Swiatek of Poland drops her racket as she stretches for a backhand against Aryna Sabalenka in the Women's Singles Semi Final match on Day Twelve of the 2025 French Open at Roland Garros on June 05, 2025 in Paris, France.

Iga Swiatek Abdicates Her Clay Throne

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses for a photo with his trophy alongside his team following victory against Jannik Sinner of Italy in the Men's Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the Internazionali BNL D'Italia 2025 at Foro Italico on May 18, 2025 in Rome, Italy.

Carlos Alcaraz Keeps Smiling At Jannik Sinner’s Expense

Aryna Sabalenka returns a shot against Jessica Pegula

Aryna Sabalenka Is Thrillingly Imperfect

The Australian Open Is Happy And Hot

Tyson Fury (left) and Oleksandr Usyk during the WBA, WBC, WBO, IBO World Heavyweight championship contest at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Picture date: Saturday December 21, 2024. (Photo by Nick Potts/PA Images via Getty Images)

Someone Got Inside Tyson Fury’s Head For A Change

Jannik Sinner of Italy poses for a photo with Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of the General Entertainment Authority, after being awarded the trophy following victory in his Men's Singles Final match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain

Saudi Arabia Got What It Wanted From The Six Kings Slam

Canelo Alvarez poses at the press conference for the Berlanga fight