Bryans Celebrate 1,000 Doubles Team Match Wins

Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan have conquered Everest: the first team to record 1,000 doubles match wins. A little more than two years since they celebrated their 100th title, the twins have set another milestone that may stand the test of time. “Very few players will achieve it,” says Nenad Zimonjic. “In the next 100 years, you’ll still be counting on one hand. Their longevity and number of titles will be so tough to break.”

Their achievement has spanned 19 seasons, from their first victory over Mark Keil and Dave Randall at Atlanta in 1998 to today’s win over Pablo Cuevas and Viktor Troicki in the Erste Bank Open 500 quarter-finals. Their story is a product of longevity, commitment, and a desire to adapt and evolve. A dedication to the sport – and, importantly, each other.

In the cut and thrust nature of professional doubles, with regular team changes, the Bryan brothers have had no way out. From the practice court with their father, Wayne, via Dick Gould’s ‘farm’ at Stanford and onto the ATP World Tour, the team for life always rode out any storm or the loss of morale. “They force opponents to ‘beat’ them and most of all they believe,” says Mark Woodforde. “Bob has the big lefty serve, Mike has the solid and consistent return. They help each other out at net, they have great reflexes, they can play on the baseline and they can switch sides if necessary.”

The Bryans 11-year partnership with David Macpherson, which ended this summer, reaped 89 of their record 112 titles – including 15 of their 16 Grand Slams and 33 of their 36 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns. “Part of their greatness is that they are equal,” says Macpherson. “They have slightly different games and maximum strengths, but they are both equal on the court. They tell one another what they think, spurring one another on. They force each other to be the best they can be.”

It can be said that they have conquered the game of doubles like no other team, combining trust, good communication and synergy, attitude and energy. “You knew you had to be ready, as they were very good frontrunners,” says Jonas Bjorkman. “Their energy level would rise with an early break. Mentally you had to prepare differently. Their intimidation was more about their energy on court and they continue to play with an edge.”

The complete team: committed to the sport on the court and off it, as great ambassadors for the global promotion of tennis.

MOST DOUBLES TEAM MATCH WINS IN OPEN ERA

BRYANS MATCH WINS MILESTONES

TRIBUTES FROM FORMER WORLD NO. 1s

DANIEL NESTOR: “One thousand team match wins is amazing. Just being together for that, through so many ups and downs isn’t easy. I played in a 10-year partnership [with Mark Knowles], which seems like an eternity, but it was very successful. Like any relationship, you go through some tough times so for them to stick at it and play at such a high level is amazing. They’ve been the best team for pretty much 15 years. Early on we were rivals, and we’re still rivals, but now we’ve become good friends. Sometimes your greatest rivals, tend to be your greatest friends.”

NENAD ZIMONJIC: “It means that 1,000 times they were so happy. To win this many matches is amazing, only Nestor has achieved it so far. They have also won the most titles so far. They are amazing players and athletes, so dedicated to the sport. Without this, they would not have recorded so many wins. As brothers it isn’t easy supporting each other all the time, being on the same page. The reason why they won so many matches together is they stuck at it, they grew as players and as a team, and kept improving. Winning 1,000 matches means your level is amazing, we’re talking more than 15 years.”

MARK KNOWLES: “One thousand team match wins is incredible. It is reflective of their tremendous success but more importantly their devotion and professionalism towards their craft. I do know that they have taken a lot of money and titles from me! They have brought an incredible professionalism to the doubles game. They constantly strive to get better every week regardless of their accomplishments. They remain hungry and committed to bringing 100 per cent effort on and off the court. They have been the leading brand in doubles and are responsible for much of its popularity.”

MARK WOODFORDE: “What a milestone! An amazing feat indeed in reaching 1,000 wins. My deepest congratulations to the Bryans, who continue to push the boundary in the doubles game as the winning-est duo ever. This achievement will shine bright for decades to come. Macca helped fill in the holes and strengthen the weaponry whilst setting fresh goals. I truly believe that Macca’s vital input ‘made’ the Bryans. Doubles has undergone a transition period. Thanks to the Bryans, the doubles game has remained in the spotlight with the records they have accumulated. They have kept it relevant and exciting. They’ve inspired all levels of tennis players to step on the doubles court.”