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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.

Defector

Giri Nathan

Daniil Medvedev poses with the trophy after his victory in the Men's Singles Final against Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands on day fourteen of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium on February 28, 2026 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty Images)

Tennis

Daniil Medvedev’s Tennis Plans Interrupted By Unrelated Global Crisis

<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>


Owen Lewis

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

A Pure Tennis Boy

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain acknowledges fans with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after the presentation ceremony following the Men's Singles Final against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during day 15 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on February 01, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)

Carlos Alcaraz Has Conquered All Terrain

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

Kathryn Xu

Amanda Anisimova in action against Xinyu Wang.

Amanda Anisimova Defeats Wang Xinyu, Narrowly Escapes Amanda Anisimova

Patrick Redford

USA's Learner Tien serves to Kazakhstan's Alexander Shevchenko during their men's singles match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 21, 2026. (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

Learner Tien Is The Brightest Pupil

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 19: Daniil Medvedev plays a forehand against Jesper de Jong of the Netherlands in the Men's Singles First Round during day two of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 19, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The Tennis Ball’s Biggest Critic Thinks “They’re Getting Better”