In 1995, Mike Bryan picked up his maiden US Open “A” badge and strolled through the gates of Flushing Meadows. A giddy excitement — reserved only for first-timers — washed over the 17-year-old, a moment forever seared in the mind of the California kid.
Back then, there was no Arthur Ashe Stadium, the grounds had not yet been rededicated to Billie Jean King and the locker rooms were still housed in the Chase Center. And there was nothing close to a sniff of a stadium with a roof.
Twenty-three years later, Mike embraces the innumerable changes, from the player cafes to the sprawling gyms, in what he describes as the “granddaddy” of all the Grand Slams. Since then, the legend has built a resume that reads as one undoubtedly destined for the Hall of Fame, including 17 Grand Slam doubles titles, 2012 Olympic champion and 2007 Davis Cup champion.
Over the years, the Bryans — Mike and his twin brother, Bob — have cemented themselves as a constant on the campus, chest-bumping their way to five US Open titles in front of cheering crowds. Yet one constant Mike never wanted to see shift: the player taking the court with him. For the first time in nearly a quarter century, his twin isn't by his side in Queens.
“You miss your best friend,” Bryan said. “This is why we’ve been on tour for so long. We just have fun doing it together. That twin bond, that twin energy. It’s just something really special.”
It’s impossible to mention one without the other. Mike recalls their debut main-draw match in the US Open as a disaster, getting thumped in straight sets, 6-0, 6-4, by Patrick Galbraith and Grant Connell.
The jarring introduction to Slam play was hardly an indication of things to come. The two went on to compete in 76 straight Grand Slams and win 16 titles (five in New York); an unprecedented record that was suddenly halted in May. Injury befell Bob in the Madrid Open final, forcing him to retire for the first time in 1,407 matches. After attempting to rehab and return, signs pointed to surgery.
Mike pushed on, initially teaming up with Sam Querrey for Roland-Garros. Since Bob’s season ended, Mike has had five different partners in six tournaments. During the stretch, he captured his 17th Grand Slam doubles title at Wimbledon with Jack Sock, whom he ultimately settled on.
“It’s better playing with Jack than playing against him,” Bryan said. “He’s beaten us many times. If you can’t beat him, join him.”
In pursuit of his 120th doubles career title, Mike is in good company with Sock. The 25-year-old picked up three doubles titles this season alone before teaming up with Bryan, including Indian Wells, where he played with fellow American John Isner. Sock also holds two Wimbledon titles, a bronze medal in doubles and a gold medal in mixed. So far, the two have yet to drop a set over the fortnight and are into the semifinals.
“He loves doubles, and so I wanted a guy who really puts a great effort in but kinda compliments my game,” Bryan said. “We were matching up really well together.”
Whereas he could anticipate exactly where Bob might go or the shot he would play, Mike is becoming more comfortable with Sock. Having played just 20 matches with the 25-year-old, compared to over 1,000 with Bob, he understands that the same connection can’t be replicated overnight.
For all the praise Bryan heaps on Sock regarding his athleticism and high-octane shots, he is constantly quick to throw in, “Once Bob gets back, then Bob’s my guy.” After the match, Bryan shared that his twin is eyeing a potential Australian Open return.
Their success is founded on their togetherness, which allowed them to become the most prolific doubles team in the history of tennis. To American tennis fans, their legacy is enduring both on and off the court. At the ATP World Tour Awards, the twins captured every single Fans’ Favorite Team title since the inception of the category, in 2005, with 13 straight wins.
Beloved by legions of fans, the passion for the Bryans goes beyond the court. In every U.S. event, the brothers bring additional balls to autograph and jettison into the frenzied crowd. At the end of the day, New York is still New York, and Mike’s favorite to return to each year.
For many, 40 is a natural age for reflection. He recalls the days of being 17, getting kicked off of practice courts because he looked like a ball kid or wanting to ask for autographs but not doing it because he was a junior player. Bryan, who doesn’t use the word retirement, is willing to admit “that day is coming, soon than later."
“It’s special still getting to do it; 24 US Opens is amazing,” Bryan said. “I didn’t think I’d play 10. Right now, I’m really kind of cherishing these moments. Who knows if I’ll ever get to step on these big courts again?”
But for the remaining three days, the focus is squarely on the now, with the title just two matches away.
“Definitely going to miss coming here as a player,” Bryan said. “You can’t get that adrenaline rush anywhere in the world.”
