By Ken Munson
MASON, Ohio — Despite a record 15 major doubles titles, 91 championships in total and the illustrious distinction of being the only doubles team to hold all four majors and an Olympic Gold Medal at the same time, Bob & Mike Bryan are so much more than their accomplishments on tennis court. They are a class act. They are the epitome of how celebrated athletes should act, treat other people, and carry themselves in the community.
After playing tennis for 33 of their 35 years of age, they continue to play with a passion because it is still fun and they are merely fulfilling a dream that they had as far back as they can remember. Like other aspiring athletes, they posted pictures of their tennis heroes on their walls and dreamed of one day playing at Wimbledon. Today, Bob & Mike are merely living their dream and they encourage other kids to strive to live theirs also.
· Recipe for success on an off the court.
· Their parents instilled in them the core values of family first.
· Treat other people as you would want to be treated.
· Never take their success and life style for granted.
· Remember to thank those who have helped you and believe in you along the way.
· Have fun and treat wins and losses as a learning experience and humility and respect.
· Acknowledge those in the game who have preceded you and paved the way for the life you live today.
· Give back to the sport and to those who are less fortunate.
Bob and Mike have a genuine appreciation for the legend doubles teams who made their mark before them. Teams like John Newcombe and Tony Roche, John McEnroe and Peter Fleming and the Woodies.
They studied their tactical ways of playing doubles and still play the game as traditional doubles were taught to them. Serve and volley, learning to play an all court game focusing on return of serve, maintaining racquet preparation, mastering the volley and the offensive and defensive lob, always moving forward and controlling the middle of the court, communication, communication, communication and having short term memory loss when you or your partner make a mistake.
Sounds simple, but in essence, it’s been the recipe for all the great doubles teams from past generations — the Bryans have just learned how to do it longer, more consistently, and with higher success. Perhaps Bob and Mike’s success can be contributed to being identical twin brothers, but on the other hand, may be they’ve learn how to execute it better than anyone else in the game.
Besides their passion for family and tennis, they unwind by celebrating their love for music. Both boys are accomplished musicians. Bob plays keys and bass and Mike guitar and drums. Their music was a natural extension of their dad’s musical background. Wayne Bryan used to play about 200 gigs a year, mostly weddings, and the equipment was always set up in the house. So unsurprisingly, the boys gravitated to picking up musical instruments as easily as they picked up their mom and dad’s tennis racquets.
For the fourth year in a row, the Bryans have taken time out of their busy on court and off court events to headline The Rockin Rally Celebration, hosted by Jason Gray, Tennis Director, at Four Bridges Country Club located near Mason, Ohio. Each year the boys hold two 1-hour private clinics with the members and guests and then share the bandstand with the renowned Phillip Meyer Band. As a result of this annual fund raiser, all the proceeds go to the Bryan Bros Foundation to help less fortunate and disadvantaged children who share the same passion and dreams of playing tennis on an elevated level.
The evening is one that is remembered by all, but more importantly, the people in attendance leave with a better idea of why the Bryans have been so successful as professional tennis players, avid musicians; and first class all around good guys.
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