Barks

@barclaycard.bsky.social

Failed journalist. Successful Andy Murray fan.

Retired in 2024... Coached the greatest tennis player of all time in 2025... Coaching the next British men's winner of Wimbledon in 2026... Absolutely nobody is doing it like Andy Murray is doing it. 🔥

Bild

2025 was my first full year freelancing, and to my happy surprise I got enough published to do a summary thread! I mostly wrote from bed, but I was at the very fun and hot Australian Open, and covered it for Defector. (Sans credential, but check back in a month.) defector.com/the-australi...

The Australian Open Is Happy And Hot | Defector

MELBOURNE — Envy sabotaged my plans for watching the first day of the 2025 Australian Open. I was going to take in Day One on a projector at Federation Square, a public area surrounded by angular buil...

defector.com

I think it would be fair to say this mixed-doubles tournament has traded legitimacy for mainstream popularity. I've seen more people than ever before talking about mixed-dubs but it does feel questionable to call it an actual major... Regardless, I've had a great time with it!

The actual worst thing about hinting for a job in media is that every job - even ones you think you might be qualified for! - are looking for someone with 5+ years experience, lol.

After watching Jannik Sinner win his match in 59 minutes yesterday, I can't wait to watch Carlos Alcaraz cruise through the first set, drop the second from a break up, and win the third set breaker in a 3 and a half hour epic later on today. 🙏

Winning your first tournament in front of a home crowd at 18 is absolutely fucking insane. Didn't think she had a chance and will happily admit that I was a fucking idiot for it! Victoria Mboko! 🔥

What I most liked about that match was that it properly felt like an 18 year old trying to make a huge breakthrough into the final of a huge event. Messy, nervy, all over the place, and, now and then, unbelievable ball-striking. 🔥

Gauff really desperately needs to sort out those service yips because it's fine every now and then but it's getting to the point where you can absolutely predict when it's going to happen and that's a really bad sign.