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Defector

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

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 04: Fans cheer after Carlos Alcaraz of Spain defeated Yibing Wu of China in their Men's Singles Third Round match on Day Six of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Podcasts

Honey Deuce McBride, With Giri Nathan

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain is interviewed by Jim Courier following victory over Alex de Minaur of Australia during the Men's Singles Quarter Final match on day 10 of the 2026 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Interviews

How Tennis Channel’s Jim Courier Sees The Sport

A huge group of fans mill around at the 2026 U.S. Open

The State Of The U.S. Open Is The State Of Us

USA's Ben Shelton celebrates his win against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz during the men's singles quarter-final tennis match on day ten of the US Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City on September 9, 2026. (Photo by Leonardo MUNOZ / AFP) / “The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Leonardo MUNOZ has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [USA's Ben Shelton] instead of [Spain's Carlos Alcaraz]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.”

Ben Shelton Took Down Carlos Alcaraz In The Match Of His Life

Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic reacts to defeating Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine in the fourth round on Day 8 of the US Open

There’s Still Tennis At The U.S. Open

Qinwen Zheng of China celebrates after defeating Madison Keys of the United States.

Zheng Qinwen Survived A Near-Death Experience At The U.S. Open

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

France's Gael Monfils reacts after a point against Paraguay's Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 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)

Gael Monfils Can Make The Crowd Dance To A Swan Song

Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates defeating Mary Stoiana of the United States in the first round on Day 3 of the US Open

Alex Eala Is The Best Show In Town

An Interview With A Biographer Of Renée Richards, An Actual Trans Pro Athlete

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during a changeover against Mariano Navone

Novak Djokovic Pukes And Crumbles  At The U.S. Open

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz poses with his trophy after winning the men's singles final tennis match against Italy's Jannik Sinner

The Tour Is Theirs

Aryna Sabalenka poses with her trophy after defeating Amanda Anisimova of the United States during their Women's Singles Final match on Day Fourteen of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Susan Mullane/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

Aryna Sabalenka Is The Final Boss Of The Hard Court

US Open, Ride Share pick up and drop off location with NY Pavilion and Queens theater in background, Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, New York.

Transit

An Elegant Solution For Anyone Stuck Waiting On An Uber At The U.S. Open

Aaron Timms

A view of the park from behind police barriers

The U.S. Open Could Be More Than A Fortress For Capital

Amanda Anisimova celebrates after winning the women's singles quarterfinal match between Amanda Anisimova of the United States and Iga Swiatek of Poland at the 2025 US Open tennis championships in New York, the United States, Sept. 3, 2025. (Photo by Li Rui/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Amanda Anisimova Gets Revenge For Her Wimbledon Bagels

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 01: Naomi Osaka of Japan celebrates after defeating Coco Gauff of the United States during their Men's Singles Fourth Round match on Day Nine of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 1, 2025 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)

Naomi Osaka Is On To Her Second Act

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 27: Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia (R) argues with Taylor Townsend of the United States (L) following their Women's Singles Second Round match on Day Four of the 2025 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2025 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Jelena Ostapenko Remains A Sore Loser

Lauren Theisen

Tennis Player Acts Normal

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)