🆚What is the difference between "defending champion" and "reigning champion" ? "defending champion" vs "reigning champion" ? | HiNative
![Defending champion Dominic Thiem ruled out of US Open and will miss rest of 2021 season after wrist injury - Eurosport Defending champion Dominic Thiem ruled out of US Open and will miss rest of 2021 season after wrist injury - Eurosport](https://i.eurosport.com/2021/08/18/3203141-65618088-2560-1440.jpg)
Defending champion Dominic Thiem ruled out of US Open and will miss rest of 2021 season after wrist injury - Eurosport
![US Open: Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick, eventually, celebrates shooting tournament's third hole-in-one | CNN US Open: Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick, eventually, celebrates shooting tournament's third hole-in-one | CNN](https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/230616123450-01-matt-fitzpatrick-0616.jpg?c=16x9)
US Open: Defending champion Matt Fitzpatrick, eventually, celebrates shooting tournament's third hole-in-one | CNN
![DEFENDING CHAMPION XANDER SCHAUFFELE COMMITS TO 2023 TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP – Travelers Championship – TPC River Highlands DEFENDING CHAMPION XANDER SCHAUFFELE COMMITS TO 2023 TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP – Travelers Championship – TPC River Highlands](https://travelerschampionship.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/TC_2023_Player_Xander.jpg)