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

<p>Owen Lewis is a former Defector intern and has written for The Guardian, The Second Serve, The Athletic, and other publications.</p>


Owen Lewis

A view of the court at the Australian Open

Tennis

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

Giri Nathan

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”

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

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

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

Alexander Zverev competes in an Australian Open match

Alexander Zverev’s Upcoming Trial Looms Over His Recent Success

Jannik Sinner with his Australian Open trophy

Jannik Sinner Booted And Rallied To His First Major Title

Jannik Sinner shakes hands with the umpire after beating Novak Djokovic in their Australian Open semifinal

Jannik Sinner Interrupts Novak Djokovic’s Reign At The Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka folds her hands after beating Coco Gauff in the Australian Open semifinal

Aryna Sabalenka Gets Her Revenge Against Coco Gauff

Daniil Medvedev retrieves a ball in his Australian Open quarterfinal against Hubi Hurkacz

Daniil Medvedev Wins The Battle Of Enormous Counterpunchers

Hubert Hurkacz shakes hands after beating Arthur Cazaux

A Tennis-Pilled Novice And Tennis Knower Discuss The Australian Open So Far

Beware The Fearsome Tennis Child Mirra Andreeva

Iga Swiatek slides in her second-round Australian Open match

Iga Swiatek Survived Danielle Collins’s Haymakers

Sumit Nagal celebrates a point at the Australian Open

Sumit Nagal Broke A Huge Serve, Is No Longer Broke

Novak Djokovic celebrates winning the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic Expanded “The Field Of Craziness”

Aryna Sabalenka hits a backhand during her win in the women's final of the 2023 Australian Open.

Aryna Sabalenka Smashed It

Elena Rybakina Has Overcome Her Glitchy Ranking

Ben Shelton of the United States plays a backhand in the Quarterfinal singles match against Tommy Paul of the United States during day ten of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park