Bob and Mike Bryan took the men's double title in a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 battle over French pair Nicolas Mahut and Michael Llodra. The Bryans have no extended their Grand Slam record to 14,two more than the previous record set by Australians John Newcombe and Tony Roche.
Ten years ago, the Bryans were a struggling doubles pair on the ATP tour, sleeping on the floor of cheap hotels. Today, they've earned a combined $20 million in prize money alone, which will certainly increase after winning their 89th doubles title at Roland Garros.
The doubles tournament in tennis isn't really celebrated any more. Not since the top singles players stopped entering the draws. But the Bryans, identical twins separated by three minutes, have transcended the popularity, or lack of,of their peers. They are globally recognized tennis stars. The Williams sisters of men's tennis.
It's a lot harder to be successful at the doubles because it involves so much preparation and getting to know the ins and outs of your partner's playing style. If you've watched the William sisters, they tend to play more of an unconventional style where one of them positions at the net while the other stays back during play. The Bryans are so in sync that it's not uncommon to catch them saying the same things simultaneously. They even live together!
How did they become the most successful doubles pairing in men's tennis? It took Bob, the more successful singles player of the two, to sacrifice his singles career to focus entirely on building a dynamic duo with his brother.
When they're not killing it on the court, you can find them jamming on their rock band. Bob, who plays left handed plays the keyboard and Mike plays drums and guitar.
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