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

Kathryn Xu

Italy's Jannik Sinner holds the trophy after winning the men's final of the ATP Rome Open tennis tournament.

Tennis

Who Will Beat Jannik Sinner?

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)

Daniil Medvedev’s Tennis Plans Interrupted By Unrelated Global Crisis

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”

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 24: Daniil Medvedev breaks his racket after losing in five sets to Benjamin Bonzi of France during their Men's Singles First Round match on Day One of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 24, 2025 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

Wayward U.S. Open Photographer Triggers Daniil Medvedev’s Two-Part Meltdown

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

Has The Tennis Ball Gotten Worse?

<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

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 12: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain stretches to play a backhand volley against Daniil Medvedev in the Men's Singles Semi-Final match during day twelve of The Championships Wimbledon 2024 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Wings Week

A Bird’s-Eye View Of Tennis’s Post-Wimbledon Landscape

Daniil Medvedev hits a shot between his legs

Daniil Medvedev Stole Some Of Jannik Sinner’s Glory

Carlos Alcaraz smiles with Indian Wells trophy in front of mountains

Carlos Alcaraz Found Revenge And Happiness In The Desert

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 11: Luca Nardi of Italy is congratulated by Novak Djokovic of Serbia after their match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 11, 2024 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Defector Tennis Bureau Indian Wells Dispatch Day 1: Novak Djokovic Put To The Sword By Italian Hotshot

Jannik Sinner with his Australian Open trophy

Jannik Sinner Booted And Rallied To His First Major Title

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

Daniil Medvedev Wins The Battle Of Enormous Counterpunchers

Jannik Sinner poses with the China Open trophy

Jannik Sinner Beats The Best At The China Open

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

Interviews

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

Novak Djokovic Beat Daniil Medvedev In A Symphony Of Pain

Daniil Medvedev lies on the court during his fourth-round match at Indian Wells.

Daniil Medvedev Hates The Indian Wells Court, And It Hates Him Back

Daniil Medvedev loses to Gael Monfils at Indian Wells.

You Must First Denounce The Flag, Then Stomp The Flag And Bury It Deep In The Earth, To Show You Do Not Support Putin And Play At Wimbledon

Tom Ley

Rafael Nadal Stands Alone

Daniil Medvedev yells at an umpire at the Australian Open.

Daniil Medvedev Calls Umpire “A Small Cat” For Not Calling Coaching Violation On Stefanos Tsitsipas

Russian Danii Medvedev (ATP 2) pictured in action during the 'Australian Open' Grand Slam tennis tournament, Wednesday 26 January 2022 in Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia. The 2022 edition of the Australian Grand Slam takes place from January 17th to January 30th. BELGA PHOTO PATRICK HAMILTON (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)

Daniil Medvedev Asked Himself “What Novak Would Do”

Luis Paez-Pumar

Russia's Daniil Medvedev hits a return against Australia's Nick Kyrgios during their men's singles match on day four of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 20, 2022.