Bryan Brothers break record in Los Angeles
Twin brothers Mike and Bob Bryan broke the ATP tour record by winning the 62nd doubles title of their career. The brothers faced off against the team of Jean-Julien Rover and Eric Butyric, to claim a 6-7 (6), 6-2, (10-7) victory at the Farmers Classic in Los Angeles.
The 32-year-old brothers were previously tied with Australian team of Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge for the most ATP tour doubles titles, both teams ringing up an impressive total of 61 title victories throughout their career. The Bryan brothers began their professional tennis career as a doubles team in 1998, playing consistently, and accumulating titles as they went along. This year’s victory at the Farmer’s Classic was their sixth title win in Los Angeles.
"It's a flood of emotion," Bob Bryan commented. "Never thought we'd be this healthy, this consistent our whole career." The Bryans began playing together in childhood, gradually accumulating doubles titles wins over their years as tennis pros.
The Woodies impressed by the Bryans
Woodforde was impressed by the achievement, offering an enthusiastic show of support for the brothers. "For many years you've been travelling in elite company. Thanks to the victory today you're in rarefied air. You guys stand together as one."
Woodforde had chosen to retire from the game earlier this year, noting that the Bryan brothers’ overtake of their tied record of 61 titles was only a matter of time.
"I know this 62nd victory has been waiting since May. Our run sort of ended because I elected to retire, but I know you two will continue for years to come. The floodgates will open entirely, so I know 70, 80 will come."
Family shares in exhilarating win
"We love what we do. To get this, one of their many records, is special," Mike Bryan said.
The Bryan brothers’ parents and several family members were present to witness the record-breaking title victory, as the twins embraced each other following their win on Sunday, their sixteenth successive Farmers Classic victory.
Realizing the magnitude of their accomplishment, the Bryans nevertheless maintained their humility in face of much respected and longstanding competition provided by Woodforde and Woodbridge.
"We really looked up to the Woodies," Bob Bryan said. "They didn't have the power and big serves, but they had the poaching and the technique. To share this record with my brother is everything."
Bryan Bros impressive streak
The match against Rover and Butyric did not come easily to the Bryan brothers, who were down a set, without breaking serve in the first, and losing the tiebreaker. The brothers came back up in the second set, breaking serve a total of five times. Amidst enthusiastic crowd support, the twin brothers were able to rally towards the match tiebreak with unshakeable momentum, speeding to lead 5-0 in the tiebreak. With Rover and Butyric inching up to tie the brothers twice during the tiebreak, the twins were able to race through to the end at last, winning the match and breaking a much-coveted record over Australian Hall of Famers Woodbridge and Woodforde.
Bryans, slamming it grandly
In their total of 62 title victories over the years, the Bryan brothers have racked up seven Grand Slam wins, most recently taking home the silver at the 2010 Australian Open. Their on-court consistency, as well as the dedication towards a stringent training routine is certainly commendable. The Bryans have won every Grand Slam, with an exciting run during the 2005-2006 season, during which they won three of the seven Grand Slam tournaments in which they competed. With the retirement of Woodbridge, their longstanding on-court opponents have been eliminated as the Bryans continue to add to their 62 tournament title wins in men’s doubles.
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