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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

The Defector Crewneck Sweatshirt Is Back In Stock

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Merch v3

Nick Zarzycki is a Toronto-based writer whose work has appeared in the Washington Post, Deadspin and Toronto Life.

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Nick Zarzycki

Russia Daniil Medvedev in action, returns the ball vs Serbia Novak Djokovic during the Men's Singles Finals match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

2023 US Open – Day 13

Tennis

I Finally Understand Why You Ding Dongs Won’t Come To The Net

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Giri Nathan

U.S. Open stenographers Michele Cook and Linda Christensen.

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Interviews

An Interview With The U.S. Open Stenographers Who Wade Through Scattered Thoughts And Xbox References

2023 US Open – Day 14

Novak Djokovic Beat Daniil Medvedev In A Symphony Of Pain

Coco Gauff kisses the 2023 U.S. Open trophy

Coco Gauff Met The Hype And Thanked Her Haters

Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates match point against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic during their Women's Singles Semifinal match on Day Eleven of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 07, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

2023 US Open – Day 11

Queens Roared, And Coco Gauff Roared Back

A protester disrupts the Women's Singles Semifinal match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic on Day Eleven of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 07, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

U.S. Open Semifinal Delayed By Climate Change Protestor Who Apparently Superglued His Feet To Stadium

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Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Madison Keys of the United States celebrates defeating Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic in the quarter-final on Day 10 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2023 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

2023 US Open – Day 10

Madison Keys Makes The Most Of Low Expectations

Ben Shelton volleys the ball during his U.S. Open quarterfinal against Frances Tiafoe

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Ben Shelton’s Athleticism Beats His Opponent’s Creativity

Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during the US Open tennis tournament men's singles round of 16 match against Germany's Alexander Zverev at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, early morning on September 5, 2023. (Photo by COREY SIPKIN / AFP) (Photo by COREY SIPKIN/AFP via Getty Images)

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Jannik Sinner Is Once Again The Victim Of Thrilling Heartbreak

A crowd shot of Court 17 at the U.S. Open.

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An Interview With The Biggest Tennis Sicko I’ve Encountered At The U.S. Open

Coco Gauff tells umpire Marijana Veljovic to call a time violation against her opponent, Laura Siegemund, at the U.S. Open

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Coco Gauff Wins A Tense, Endless Mess

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic smile together after their Cincinnati Masters final

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The Rivalry Between Carlos Alcaraz And Novak Djokovic Won’t Be Long, But It Will Be Legendary

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Barry Petchesky

COLUMBUS, OHIO - OCTOBER 16: Cierra Gaytan-Leach of the Hard Eights prepares to serve during the Major League Pickleball finals match against BLQK at Pickle &amp; Chill on October 16, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Major League Pickleball – Columbus

This Is So Stupid

Hear Me Out: Pickleball Eschaton

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Tennis Player Wipes Out Contested Ball Mark And Celebrates Opponent’s Retirement, To The Disgust Of Her Peers

Carlos Alcaraz kisses the Wimbledon trophy

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Carlos Alcaraz Is The Happiest Hunter

Fans take in some Wimbledon matches at Murray Mound.

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The Wimbledon Experience Is Diligence, Dampness, And Cream

Lucas Hubbard is a North Carolina-based writer whose work has appeared in Microfiction Monday Magazine, INDY Week, Paste, and other outlets.

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Lucas Hubbard

A card with a bunch of love items about Rafael Nadal. There's one of him picking his wedge, one of him screaming after a point and him, in a heart, smiling. Also there are drawings of tennis balls and tennis rackets.

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How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz holds the Queen's Club title

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Carlos Alcaraz Ate On Grass

Iga Swiatek celebrates after winning the French Open

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Iga Swiatek Finally Faced A Challenge At The French Open

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain appears to be injured against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during the Men's Singles Semi Final match on Day Thirteen of the 2023 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2023 in Paris, France.

2023 French Open – Day Thirteen

Carlos Alcaraz Lost His Legs, And His Chance To Beat Novak Djokovic

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I Could Stare At The Roland Garros Clay All Day

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Laura Wagner

Hugo Gaston of France reacts during his match against Dane Sweeny of Australia during day 5 of the Danube Upper Austria Open 2023, part of the ATP Challenger Tour on May 11, 2023 in Mauthausen, Austria.