They were more than just champions. They were a power. Bob and Mike Bryan not only won in Doubles, they have a revolution in it.
For two decades the American twins reformed the landscape of Heer’s Uubbles with a record-breaking 119 titles, including 16 Majors, 39 ATP Masters 1000 crowns, four Nitto ATP Finals trophies and an Olympic gold medal.
Their statistics are unmistakably historical and their legacy, but while they sit on a weathered wooden bench overlooking the courts in Wimbledon, a place where they have etched part of their legend, you will not find two men who seemed like to mention. You will find humility and gratitude for the journey where they have been.
“We really loved the sport and played with a lot of energy,” said Bob Atptour.com. “We fed the fans and kept representing our country. Some of our highlights were Davis Cup and the Olympic Games playing. It was a great ride. Doing everything with your best friend and twins was also quite cool.”
“I think we would like to be remembered as two players who really loved what they did,” Mike added. “We were passionate about giving back to the game and hopefully inspire a number of children to pick up a racquet. We have always tried to make time to sign signatures, take photos with fans and simply be a positive force in double.”
This week, the tennis world loses the Bryans, which are included in the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. A last award -winning performance for the most accomplished duo the game has ever seen.
“It’s great. We thought we might have had a chance, but when we got to the mood, we were happy,” said Mike. “We were super happy. Then Kim Clijsters, one of the presidents of the Hall of Fame, was called us. We were ecstatic. It was a great year to think and think back to our career. The Hall of Fame feels like the ultimate honor in Tennis. It is cool to look back at how many people were a chance to play so long.
“We recently did an event for the Hall of Fame and just around those legends, our idols such as Stan Smith, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Novratilova, was surreal. We had something like:” What are we doing here? ” It felt incredible to be among them.
The journey of Bryans started in 1997 at the matching of Cardinal Red when they helped Stanford University to lift the NCAA Men’s Team Championship. The following year they returned to take the NCAA Doubles title, while Bob also won the singles.
Their university days not only offered a launch platform for their career, but a basis that was crucial for their long -term success.
“Our Stanford coach had a motto: ‘Proud, but never satisfied’. We won the NCAAs in ’97 and the next day he already had it next year,” said Bob. “That mentality remained with us. We rarely celebrated profits. We already looked ahead.”
It was that mentality that quickly wore them through the levels. After making their ATP Tour debut in Atlanta, their first title came to Memphis in 2001 and in 2002 they were Masters 1000 champions in Toronto for the first time. By 2003 they were large champions, won Roland Garros and threw the door to worldwide star.
“It changed everything the French won,” Bob recalled. “Marketing, sponsorship. We suddenly got more deals and bought our first house. It took the pressure. Financially things improved things. We had many sponsorship events, performances. We started to feel the attraction, probably a fraction of what Federer and Nadal had to do. But we felt that pull.
Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan celebrate the winning Roland Garros in 2003. Photo: Getty Images
While Mike agreed, he also noticed the deep psychological impact of their final victory in Paris.
“We had been a good team for a while, but you never know if you need what is needed,” said Mike. “Winning our first French Open was huge. We arrived early, stayed in a budget hotel and we were superstitige. We ate every day in the same Chinese restaurant for 21 days. We were so nervous and driven.
“When we won, we both fell on our knees at the same time. That moment gave us confidence. Patrick Mcenroe then grabbed us for Davis Cup, which had been our top goal. He told us that we had to win a slam before he would take us. That unlocked our career.”
So much desired Davis Cup call-up came away in Bratislava four months later. Competing in a play -off of the world group on clay against Slovakia, the pressure was on. Under the leadership of recently crowned American open champion Andy Roddick, the United States achieved a 3-2 victory, in which the Bryan’s victory in the crucial doubles rubber delivered to swing the draw in favor of the United States.
“Our first Davis Cup -Stropdas in Bratislava with Roddick, who had just won the US Open, was unforgettable,” said Bob. “It was a relegation match and we had to win to stay in the world group. Patrick Mcenroe showed a lot of confidence in us and used two selection spots in a double team.
“We won in right sets, but it was emotional. Mike was convulsive by the end. We wanted it so badly, the tension was high. That game could have changed everything if we had lost. We might never have played again.”
From that moment on the Bryans corner stones from Team USA. They helped with the conquest of the Davis Cup in 2007 and gathered a 25-5 record in the competition, the best ever by an American Doubles team. The brothers, who also won Olympic gold in London 2012, enjoyed the opportunity to compete for their country.
“We have always loved team game. Davis Cup felt enormously with a whole day devoted to doubles,” said Mike. “Playing with legends such as Agassi, Roddick and Blake was a dream. We grew up watching the American team with our faces and drums in the stands. We treated every draw like a slam final. We would arrive early for 10 days, a few days earlier, get food.
The Bryan Brothers celebrate the winning of the Davis Cup in 2007. Getty Images
During the tour they set the Golden Standard in double for more than 15 years and became the heartbeat of the size in the 2000s. Their dominance not only increased their own career, but also helped crucial revitalization and promoting on a global scale. For the first time they climbed to number 1 in the Pif ATP Doubles teams ranking in September 2003 and never looked back, held the first place for an amazing 438 weeks and ended when the end of the year 1 Team A record 10 times. Mike even has the record of most weeks at number 1 by a double player with 506.
Their ruthless urge on the field, in combination with their charisma and fan -friendly energy, made them crowd of favorites all over the world. That connection led to a remarkable run as the favorite Doubles team of the ATP fans for 13 consecutive years and 14 times in general.
“It was about consistency, professionalism and having a daily routine,” Bob said about what was needed to stay at number 1. “You wake up with a goal to improve. We pushed each other, but we were also motivated ourselves. To stay at the top, you must continue to evolve, take feedback and never settle for.
“We were number 1 in 2003, but we did not stay the same. If we had done that, we would not have been completed number 1 in 2014. Everyone looks at your game, tries to defeat you. Players swing freely at the top team and you feel that pressure. So we simply focused on producing our best tennis.”
Mike was a master on the net, to quickly intercept and almost never missed a volley. His return game was just as deadly, it is rifle back at the feet of the server or beyond the net player, so that Bob was set up for his signature displacement: the Poach. Bob’s explosive movement and instincts were generally considered one of the greatest poachers in the history of doubles, Bob made their return game a devastating one-two-punch. Their seamless teamwork, complementary strengths and constant attacking mindset made them almost impossible to break down and a nightmare for opponents.
Mike believes that their success on the field is also built on their impressive connection, communication and team dynamics.
“It’s like a marriage,” said Mike. “High pressure, different backgrounds and you play for your livelihood. But we had open communication and were loyal. We also had a coach who behaved like a wedding adviser.
“But the chemistry is the most important thing in double. Some great players are unable to do doubles because they miss that connection.”
De Bryans celebrate their ninth of a record of 10 years no. 1 finish in London in 2013. Getty Images
Even when Bob underwent a hip surgery in 2018, the brothers came back to win three more titles. They ended with a remarkably 1,109-359 team record, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, and they ended their career in 2020 after a final triumph in Delray Beach.
Nowadays, the brothers remain in a deep involved sport, where Bob serves as the American Davis Cup captain. They continue to Leiden the Bryan Brothers Foundation, who supports risky young people and helps charities, while also embracing life as proud family men. Bob is married to Michelle and is a dedicated father of Michaela, Bobby Jr. And Richie. Mike is married to Nadia and has two sons, Jake and Tommy.
“We have stayed in tennis since we are ready and I think we will always be near the sport,” said Bob. “I am the captain of Davis Cup and we both coached the Olympic Games. We love to inspire the next generation. Our children are starting to pick up rackets, and although the game becomes more difficult, we think it is a great way to grow up.
“We would like our children to play lecture. Tennis. Those were some of our best years. Playing in a team, getting a training and growing like people. There is no hurry. The college path is great for development.”
After ending the interview, the twins got up from the bank and went on the way to the rail with a view of Hof no. 18 in Wimbledon. A young teenager approached shy and asked for a signature.
“You are the brothers who always won,” the teenager said.
Mike smiled and looked at his brother. “Something like that.”
A quiet moment, but a sustainable moment and a perfect snapshot of an inheritance that continues to echo over generations. This week, that legacy will find a permanent house in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, where fans can think about the iconic breast hump of the couple and title -winning tennis forever.
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