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

Giri Nathan

Aryna Sabalenka raises the U.S. Open trophy

Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka Conquers The U.S. Open At Last

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 04: Jessica Pegula (R) of the United States shakes hands after defeating Iga Swiatek of Poland during their Women's Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Ten of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 04, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Iga Swiatek Came Up With No Answers Against Jessica Pegula

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

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 29: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain reacts after a point against Botic van De Zandschulp of the Netherlands during their Men's Singles Second Round match on Day Four of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Carlos Alcaraz Is Out

Fans cool off in misters during Day Three of the 2024 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 28, 2024 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

A Sweltering U.S. Open Inspires Many Ways To Stay Cool, Most Of Them Useless

Patrick Redford

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 27: Naomi Osaka of Japan reacts to defeating Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia in the first round on Day 2 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 27, 2024 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Naomi Osaka Found The Joy

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

Coco Gauff kisses the 2023 U.S. Open trophy

Coco Gauff Met The Hype And Thanked Her Haters

Coco Gauff of the United States celebrates match point against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic during their Women's Singles Semifinal match on Day Eleven of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 07, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Queens Roared, And Coco Gauff Roared Back

A protester disrupts the Women's Singles Semifinal match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic on Day Eleven of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 07, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

U.S. Open Semifinal Delayed By Climate Change Protestor Who Apparently Superglued His Feet To Stadium

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 06: Madison Keys of the United States celebrates defeating Marketa Vondrousova of the Czech Republic in the quarter-final on Day 10 of the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 06, 2023 in New York City (Photo by Robert Prange/Getty Images)

Madison Keys Makes The Most Of Low Expectations

Ben Shelton volleys the ball during his U.S. Open quarterfinal against Frances Tiafoe

Ben Shelton’s Athleticism Beats His Opponent’s Creativity

Italy's Jannik Sinner reacts during the US Open tennis tournament men's singles round of 16 match against Germany's Alexander Zverev at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City, early morning on September 5, 2023. (Photo by COREY SIPKIN / AFP) (Photo by COREY SIPKIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Jannik Sinner Is Once Again The Victim Of Thrilling Heartbreak

A crowd shot of Court 17 at the U.S. Open.

An Interview With The Biggest Tennis Sicko I’ve Encountered At The U.S. Open

Coco Gauff tells umpire Marijana Veljovic to call a time violation against her opponent, Laura Siegemund, at the U.S. Open

Coco Gauff Wins A Tense, Endless Mess

Carlos Alcaraz Is The Spectacle

Iga Swiatek celebrates after winning the U.S. Open.

Against Iga Swiatek, Keeping It Close Is All Anyone Can Hope For

Frances Tiafoe celebrates a point in his U.S. Open semifinal against Carlos Alcaraz.

Frances Tiafoe Proved It

Lauren Theisen

Sicko-Hour Tennis: Bad For The Body, Great For The Soul

Sinner-Alcaraz Was Five Sets Of The Future

The Summer Of Nick Kyrgios Is Over

Frances Tiafoe celebrates after his U.S. Open win over Rafael Nadal

Frances Tiafoe Refined His Bits And Toppled Rafael Nadal

Serena Williams of the United States reacts in the third set against Ajla Tomlijanovic of Australia during their Women's Singles Third Round match on Day Five of the 2022 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 02, 2022.