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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

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Alexander Zverev of Germany celebrates with the trophy after defeating Ben Shelton of the United States in their Men's Singles Final match on Day Fifteen of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

The U.S. Open Men’s Final Changed Nothing

Italy's Lorenzo Sonego returns the ball to Germany's Alexander Zverev during the men's singles first round tennis match on day three of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 1, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP)

Interminable U.S. Open Night Sessions Are Bad For Everyone Except Me

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Jannik Sinner of Italy with his Gentlemen's Singles Trophy over the Royal Box balcony after his victory in the Gentlemen's Singles final match against Alexander Zverev of Germany on day fourteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images)

Jannik Sinner Reinstates The Regime

Alexander Zverev with the winners' trophy after his victory against Flavio Cobolli

It’s Hard To Find The Feel-Good Angle Of Alexander Zverev

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

Has The Tennis Ball Gotten Worse?

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 Gets Over The Hump


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Alexander Zverev of Germany looks on during his match against Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during the Men's Singles Final match on Day 15 of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2024 in Paris, France.

When It Comes To Alexander Zverev, Tennis Is Going To Stick To Tennis

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 09: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain celebrates winning match point against Alexander Zverev of Germany during the Men's Singles Final match on Day 15 of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on June 09, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Carlos Alcaraz Is Diamonds Under Pressure

Alexander Zverev competes in an Australian Open match