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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.

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Defector

<p>Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and co-founded the website <a href="http://popcorntennis.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://popcorntennis.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PFWw6PL-FUqaCMME5TLqP">popcorntennis.com</a>. He wrote 63,000 words about the Novak Djokovic-Rafael Nadal rivalry that can be accessed for free at <a href="https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thegoldenrivalry.substack.com&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1726234676777000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2OjAHpo4PVIhkx8Xd21lRJ">thegoldenrivalry.substack.com</a>.</p>


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Owen Lewis

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.

Internazionali BNL D’Italia 2025 – Day Fourteen

Tennis

Carlos Alcaraz Keeps Smiling At Jannik Sinner’s Expense

Aryna Sabalenka returns a shot against Jessica Pegula

Miami Open Presented by Itau 2025 – Day 12

Aryna Sabalenka Is Thrillingly Imperfect

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Patrick Redford

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 14: Novak Djokovic of Serbia waits for the trophy presentation after his defeat by Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the final of the men's singles, during day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images)

Day Fourteen: The Championships – Wimbledon 2024

Novak Djokovic’s Loose Players Union Files Huge Lawsuit Against Tennis Power Structure

TENNIS 2025 , BNP PARIBAS OPEN, INDIAN WELLS TENNIS GARDEN, INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA, USA, WTA 1000, ATP 1000, MASTERS, HARD COURT, OUTDOOR, ATP, WTA, 2025, USA HARD COURT SWING, MEN’S SINGLES, WOMEN’S SINGLES, MEN”S DOUBLES, WOMEN’S DOUBLES, SUNSHINE SWING, © TENNIS PHOTO NETWORK

BNP Paribas Open – Final Day

Mirra Andreeva Grabs Center Stage

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Giri Nathan

Yosuke Watanuki of Japan plays a backhand against Frances Tiafoe of the United States in their third round match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 09, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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Yosuke Watanuki Is Here To Drink Soda And Cause Upsets

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With Everyone Watching Women’s Sports, The WTA Tries Another Rebrand

Italy's Jannik Sinner celebrates victory over Australia's Alex De Minaur after their men's singles quarter-final match on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 22, 2025. (Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP) /

TENNIS-AUS-OPEN

WADA’s Doping Ban Settlement With Jannik Sinner Creates More Questions Than Answers

During Day 14 of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images)

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Madison Keys Won Her First Major By Changing Her Racquet And Mind

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The Australian Open Is Happy And Hot

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz meet at the net after their Australian Open match.

Novak Djokovic Teaches Carlos Alcaraz One More Crucial Lesson

An illustration of a tennis player holding a skull-shaped ball

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Has The Tennis Ball Gotten Worse?

Iga Swiatek of Poland in action against Varvara Gracheva of France in the second round on Day 4 of the Cincinnati Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 14, 2024 in Mason, Ohio

Iga Swiatek

Iga Swiatek Suspended After Testing Positive For Banned Substance

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates after the men's singles final match at the French Open.

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Rafael Nadal Found Process In Pain

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

Six Kings Slam 2024 – Day Three

Saudi Arabia Got What It Wanted From The Six Kings Slam

Frances Tiafoe yells "Fuck you" at the umpire after a loss.

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Frances Tiafoe Provides Postmatch Feedback To Umpire: “Fuck You”

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain returns a shot in the Men's singles final match against Jannik Sinner of Italy on Day 10 of the China Open

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Carlos Alcaraz Is Most Dangerous When He’s Cornered

A view of the crowd milling around the U.S. Open

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The U.S. Open Crowd Has Become Too Much Of A Good Thing

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After Beating The Case, Jannik Sinner Beat The Field

Aryna Sabalenka raises the U.S. Open trophy

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Aryna Sabalenka Conquers The U.S. Open At Last

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 04: Jessica Pegula (R) of the United States shakes hands after defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland during their Women's Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

2024 US Open – Day 10

Iga Swiatek Came Up With No Answers Against Jessica Pegula

Taylor Fritz of the United States celebrates a point against Alexander Zverev of Germany during their Men's Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Nine of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 03, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

taylor-fritz-us-open

Taylor Fritz Gets Over The Hump

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain reacts after a point against Botic van De Zandschulp of the Netherlands during their Men's Singles Second Round match on Day Four of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

2024 US Open – Day 4

Carlos Alcaraz Is Out

Fans cool off in misters during Day Three of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

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A Sweltering U.S. Open Inspires Many Ways To Stay Cool, Most Of Them Useless

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 27: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts to defeating Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the first round on Day 2 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2024 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

2024 US Open – Day 2

Naomi Osaka Found The Joy

MASON, OHIO - AUGUST 17: Jannik Sinner of Italy hits a forehand against Andrey Rublev of Russia in the quarter finals of the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center on August 17, 2024 in Mason, Ohio. (Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images)