When they were assigned to several dormitories in New York, Bob put a mattress on the floor of Mike’s room and slept in it. Long into adulthood, they shared a bank account. They still talk or send multiple times a day, even though Bob, his wife, Michelle, and three young children are based in Hallandale Beach, Fla., And Mike and his wife, Nadia, and their grandson now live in Camarillo.
“We’re still best friends, and we just have a stronger connection than ever,” Mike said. ‘You know how hard it can be as brothers to always get along with each other. And we’ve worked it out for so long in situations with high pressure, eating every meal, spending every exercise together.
“For many people, that becomes pretty musty, but we keep our marriage strong. We needed a little therapy here and there, but eventually it worked, and looking back on our long lives, we can be very proud that we did it day in and day out. “
Going out together was also important. The plan for 2020 was to play a farewell tour, and then retire to the United States Open.
But the coronavirus pandemic disrupted that plan, stopping the game on the men’s tour for five months. The twins played in World Team Tennis in late July and early August, but when it was confirmed that the US Open would be played without spectators, they decided instead to retire as participants.
“We were not just going to play the games and get points or make money this past year,” Bob said. ‘It was to say a real thank you to each of us and to feel the atmosphere one last time. The crowds – that’s what makes the US Open magical in our heads. We really applaud the US Open for getting going, and all the work they have done to give tennis back to the fans on TV and to give players opportunities to fight again and make money. But it just wasn’t good for us. ”
The Bryans once thought they would retire after the 2012 London Olympics, where they won the last major title they missed, and they stopped playing in 2018 when Bob severely injured his hip and chose for a hip replacement surgery. Mike continued that year with a new partner, the American Jack Sock, and won Wimbledon and the US Open: giving him a total of 18 Grand Slam men doubles titles, two more than his brother.
