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- published: 26 Mar 2010
- views: 573794
- author: arthurSports
Country | United States |
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Residence | Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, USA |
Born | (1978-04-29) April 29, 1978 (age 34) Camarillo, California, US |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Weight | 202 pounds (92 kg) |
College | Stanford Cardinal |
Turned pro | 1998 |
Plays | Left-handed (one-handed backhand) |
Career prize money | US$ 8,684,530 |
Singles | |
Career record | 21–40 (in ATP Tour and Grand Slam main draw matches, and in Davis Cup) |
Career titles | 0 (ATP Tour and Grand Slam) |
Highest ranking | No. 116 (November 13, 2000) |
Grand Slam Singles results | |
Australian Open | Q3 (2000) |
French Open | Q1 (2000) |
Wimbledon | 2R (2001) |
US Open | 2R (1998) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 727–238 (in ATP (World) Tour and Grand Slam main draw matches, and in Davis Cup) |
Career titles | 77 (ATP (World) Tour and Grand Slam) |
Highest ranking | No. 1 (September 8, 2003) |
Grand Slam Doubles results | |
Australian Open | W (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011) |
French Open | W (2003) |
Wimbledon | W (2006, 2011) |
US Open | W (2005, 2008, 2010) |
Other Doubles tournaments | |
Tour Finals | W (2003, 2004, 2009) |
Olympic Games | Bronze (2008) |
Mixed Doubles | |
Career titles | 7 (Grand Slam) |
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results | |
Australian Open | QF (2002, 2005, 2006, 2007) |
French Open | W (2008, 2009) |
Wimbledon | W (2008) |
US Open | W (2003, 2004, 2006, 2010) |
Last updated on: January 30, 2012. |
Medal record | ||
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Competitor for USA | ||
Olympic Games | ||
Bronze | Beijing 2008 | Doubles |
Pan American Games | ||
Bronze | Winnipeg 1999 | Doubles |
Robert Charles "Bob" Bryan (born April 29, 1978) is an American male professional tennis player. With his twin brother Mike, he has spent over 200 weeks as a World No. 1 doubles player. He has won eighteen Grand Slam titles, 11 in men's doubles and seven in mixed doubles. He turned professional in 1998. The Bryan brothers were named ATP Team of the Decade for 2000–2009.[1]
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He finished the year as the number one ranked singles player in the nation in 1998 after winning the clay court nationals and reaching the finals of Kalamazoo. The brothers were back to back Kalamazoo doubles champions in 1995 and 1996 and won the US Open Junior doubles title in 1996.
He played for Stanford University in 1997 and 1998, where he helped the Cardinal win back-to-back NCAA team championships. In 1998, he won the "Triple Crown" by taking the NCAA singles, doubles (with his twin brother Mike), and team titles. He was the first man to accomplish this since Stanford's Alex O'Brien did it in 1992.[citation needed]
Both brothers started their professional careers playing World TeamTennis for teams like the Idaho Sneakers through the current season for the Kansas City Explorers.[3]
With his twin brother Mike (who is the older by two minutes), Bob has won 75 doubles titles,[4] including eleven Grand Slam titles. In 2005, the Bryan brothers made it to the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments, only the second time a men's doubles team has done this during the open era.[5] In 2006, the Bryan brothers won Wimbledon and the Australian Open and completed a Career Grand Slam. They repeated their Australian Open victory in 2007. As of February 2, 2009, the Bryan brothers both as a team and individually are ranked World No. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals. Six times they were the year-ending top-ranked team, in 2003[6] 2005,[7] 2006,[8] and 2007,[9] 2009, and 2010.
The Bryan brothers have been frequent participants on U.S. Davis Cup teams. The United States sealed its 32nd title at the 2007 Davis Cup.
The Bryans guest starred on 8 Simple Rules.[10]
The Bryan brothers were featured on the Jan/Feb 2010 cover of Making Music Magazine.[11]
Bob's father Wayne Bryan wrote a book about the Bryan Brothers named "The Formula: Raising your Child to Be a Champion".[12]
Bob married Florida attorney Michelle Alvarez in North Miami Beach on December 13, 2010. The couple now resides in Sunny Isles Beach, FL.
Together with his twin brother Mike Bryan, the pair won the most Davis Cup matches of any team in doubles for the US. In 2010 he won the doubles match in Serbia with John Isner. Bob has a 4–2 record in singles matches.
Opponent | Result |
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Switzerland (Wawrinka/Allegro) | W |
Slovak Republic (Beck/Hrbatý) | W |
Austria (Knowle/Melzer) | W |
Sweden (Björkman/T.Johansson) | W |
Belarus (Mirnyi/Volchkov) | W |
Spain (Ferrero/Robredo) | W |
Croatia (Ančić/Ljubičić ) | L |
Belgium (Rochus/Vliegen) | W |
Romania (Hănescu/Tecau) | W |
Chile (Capdeville/Garcia) | W |
Russia (Tursunov/Youzhny) | W |
Czech Republic (Dlouhý/Vízner) | W |
Spain (Lopez/Verdasco) | W |
Sweden (Aspelin/Björkman) | W |
Russia (Andreev/Daveydenko) | W |
Austria (Knowle/Melzer) | W |
France (Clément/Llodra) | L |
Chile (Aguilar/Massu) | W |
Spain (Verdasco/Granoellers) | W |
Sweden (Bjorkman/Aspelin) | W |
Serbia (Zimonjic/Tipsarevic) | W |
France (Benneteau/Llodra) | W |
Tournament | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | SR |
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Australian Open | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | 1R | QF | 3R | F | F | W | W | QF | W | W | W | F | 5 / 13 |
French Open | A | A | A | A | 2R | 2R | 2R | QF | W | SF | F | F | QF | QF | SF | 2R | SF | 1 / 13 | |
Wimbledon | A | A | A | A | 3R | 1R | SF | SF | QF | 3R | F | W | F | SF | F | QF | W | 2 / 13 | |
US Open | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | QF | 2R | SF | F | 3R | W | 3R | QF | W | SF | W | 1R | 3 / 17 | |
SR | 0 / 1 | 0 / 1 | 0 / 1 | 0 / 1 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 1 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 1 / 4 | 2 / 4 | 1 / 4 | 1 / 4 | 1 / 4 | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 | 0 / 1 | 11 / 55 |
Tournament | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | SR | W–L |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Australian Open | A | A | A | QF | 1R | 1R | QF | QF | QF | A | A | 2R | 2R | 0 / 8 | 10–8 |
French Open | 2R | QF | A | SF | QF | QF | A | QF | QF | W | W | A | A | 2 / 9 | 25–7 |
Wimbledon | QF | 1R | QF | QF | 2R | SF | 2R | F | 3R | W | QF | 2R | QF | 1 / 13 | 30–11 |
US Open | A | A | 1R | F | W | W | QF | W | 2R | A | A | W | 2R | 4 / 9 | 28–5 |
W–L | 4–2 | 3–2 | 3–2 | 12–4 | 8–3 | 10–3 | 4–3 | 14–3 | 6–4 | 11–0 | 7–1 | 7–2 | 4–2 | 7 / 39 | 93–31 |
Awards | ||
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Preceded by Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor |
ITF World Champion (doubles) (with Mike Bryan) 2003–07 2009–11 |
Succeeded by Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor Incumbent |
Preceded by Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor |
ATP Doubles Team of the Year (with Mike Bryan) 2003 2004–07 2009–11 |
Succeeded by Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor Incumbent |
Preceded by New title |
ATP Fans' Favorite Team (with Mike Bryan) 2006–11 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (July 2008) |
Country | United States |
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Residence | Wesley Chapel, Florida, US |
Born | (1978-04-29) April 29, 1978 (age 34) Camarillo, California, US |
Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
Weight | 192 pounds (87 kg) |
Turned pro | 1998 |
Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
Career prize money | US$7,523,703 |
Singles | |
Career record | 5–11 (at ATP Tour level, Grand Slam level, and in Davis Cup) |
Career titles | 0 |
Highest ranking | No. 246 (October 16, 2000) |
Grand Slam Singles results | |
US Open | 1R (2001) |
Other tournaments | |
Doubles | |
Career record | 725–236 (at ATP Tour level, Grand Slam level, and in Davis Cup) |
Career titles | 79 |
Highest ranking | No. 1 (September 8, 2003) |
Grand Slam Doubles results | |
Australian Open | W (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011) |
French Open | W (2003) |
Wimbledon | W (2006, 2011) |
US Open | W (2005, 2008, 2010) |
Other Doubles tournaments | |
Tour Finals | W (2003, 2004, 2009) |
Olympic Games | Bronze (2008) |
Mixed Doubles | |
Career titles | 2 |
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results | |
Australian Open | N/A |
French Open | W (2003) |
Wimbledon | F (2001, 2008) |
US Open | W (2002) |
Last updated on: July 2, 2011. |
Medal record | ||
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Competitor for USA | ||
Olympic Games | ||
Bronze | Beijing 2008 | Doubles |
Pan American Games | ||
Bronze | Winnipeg 1999 | Doubles |
Michael Carl "Mike" Bryan (born April 29, 1978) is an American professional tennis player. He stands 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) tall, weighs 192 lbs and plays right-handed. He turned professional in 1998. With his twin brother Bob, he has been World No. 1 doubles player for the last several years.
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He played for Stanford University in 1997 and 1998, where he helped the Cardinal win back-to-back NCAA team championships. In 1998, he won the NCAA doubles title with his twin brother Bob.
Both brothers started their professional careers playing World TeamTennis for teams like the Idaho Sneakers through the current season for the Kansas City Explorers.[1]
Together with his twin brother Bob he has been very successful in doubles. They have won 68 doubles titles (winning their record-setting 62nd title at the 2010 Farmers Classic in Los Angeles)[2][3] including 11 Grand Slam titles. In 2005, he and Bob made it to the finals of all the 4 Grand Slam tournaments, only the second time such a feat has been achieved in the Open era.[4] The Bryan Brothers are currently ranked No.1 in the ATP. Due to their success, they have been nicknamed The Wonder Twins after a fictional comic book duo.[5]
Bryan was fined US$10,000 by the USTA for unsportsmanlike-conduct for an undisclosed off-court episode after he and brother Bob lost in the first round of the 2011 US Open.[6] It was alleged that Bryan put his hand on an official.[7]
Together with his twin brother Bob Bryan, the pair won the most Davis Cup matches of any team in doubles for the US.
Opponent | Result |
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Switzerland (Wawrinka/Allegro) | W |
Slovak Republic (Beck/Hrbatý) | W |
Austria (Knowle/Melzer) | W |
Sweden (Björkman/T.Johansson) | W |
Belarus (Mirnyi/Volchkov) | W |
Spain (Ferrero/Robredo) | W |
Croatia (Ančić/Ljubičić ) | L |
Belgium (Rochus/Vliegen) | W |
Romania (Hănescu/Tecau) | W |
Chile (Capdeville/Garcia) | W |
Russia (Tursunov/Youzhny) | W |
Czech Republic (Dlouhý/Vízner) | W |
Spain (Lopez/Verdasco) | W |
Sweden (Aspelin/Björkman) | W |
Russia (Andreev/Daveydenko) | W |
Austria (Knowle/Melzer) | W |
France (Clément/Llodra) | L |
France (Benneteau/Llodra) | W |
By winning the 2006 Wimbledon title, Bryan completed the men's doubles Career Grand Slam. He became the 19th individual player and, with Bob Bryan, the 7th doubles pair to achieve this.
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents in the final | Score in the final |
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Winner | 2003 | French Open | Clay | Bob Bryan | Paul Haarhuis Yevgeny Kafelnikov |
7–6(7–3), 6–3 |
Runner-up | 2003 | US Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Jonas Björkman Todd Woodbridge |
7–5, 0–6, 5–7 |
Runner-up | 2004 | Australian Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Michaël Llodra Fabrice Santoro |
6–7(4–7), 3–6 |
Runner-up | 2005 | Australian Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett |
4–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 2005 | French Open | Clay | Bob Bryan | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
6–2, 1–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 2005 | Wimbledon | Grass | Bob Bryan | Stephen Huss Wesley Moodie |
6–7(4–7), 3–6, 7–6(7–2), 3–6 |
Winner | 2005 | US Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
6–1, 6–4 |
Winner | 2006 | Australian Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Martin Damm Leander Paes |
4–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 2006 | French Open | Clay | Bob Bryan | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
7–6(7–5), 4–6, 5–7 |
Winner | 2006 | Wimbledon | Grass | Bob Bryan | Fabrice Santoro Nenad Zimonjić |
6–4, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 |
Winner | 2007 | Australian Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
7–5, 7–5 |
Runner-up | 2007 | Wimbledon | Grass | Bob Bryan | Arnaud Clément Michaël Llodra |
7–6(7–5), 3–6, 4–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 2008 | US Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Lukáš Dlouhý Leander Paes |
7–6(7–5), 7–6(12–10) |
Winner | 2009 | Australian Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Mahesh Bhupathi Mark Knowles |
2–6, 7–5, 6–0 |
Runner-up | 2009 | Wimbledon | Grass | Bob Bryan | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–7(7–9), 7–6(7–3), 6–7(5–7), 3–6 |
Winner | 2010 | Australian Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 6–7(5–7), 6–3 |
Winner | 2010 | US Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Rohan Bopanna Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi |
7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–4) |
Winner | 2011 | Australian Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Mahesh Bhupathi Leander Paes |
6–3, 6–4 |
Winner | 2011 | Wimbledon | Grass | Bob Bryan | Robert Lindstedt Horia Tecău |
6–3, 6–4, 7–6(7–2) |
Runner-up | 2012 | Australian Open | Hard | Bob Bryan | Leander Paes Radek Štěpánek |
6–7(1–7), 2–6 |
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents in the final | Score in the final |
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Runner-up | 2001 | Wimbledon | Grass | Liezel Huber | Leoš Friedl Daniela Hantuchová |
6–4, 3–6, 2–6 |
Winner | 2002 | US Open | Hard | Lisa Raymond | Katarina Srebotnik Bob Bryan |
7–6(11–9), 7–6(7–1) |
Winner | 2003 | French Open | Clay | Lisa Raymond | Elena Likhovtseva Mahesh Bhupathi |
6–3, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 2008 | Wimbledon | Grass | Katarina Srebotnik | Bob Bryan Samantha Stosur |
5–7, 4–6 |
Tournament | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | SR |
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Australian Open | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | 1R | QF | 3R | F | F | W | W | QF | W | W | W | F | 5 / 13 |
French Open | A | A | A | A | 2R | 2R | 2R | QF | W | SF | F | F | QF | QF | SF | 2R | SF | 1 / 13 | |
Wimbledon | A | A | A | A | 3R | 1R | SF | SF | QF | 3R | F | W | F | SF | F | QF | W | 2 / 13 | |
US Open | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | QF | 2R | SF | F | 3R | W | 3R | QF | W | SF | W | 1R | 3 / 17 | |
SR | 0 / 1 | 0 / 1 | 0 / 1 | 0 / 1 | 0 / 3 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 1 / 4 | 0 / 4 | 1 / 4 | 2 / 4 | 1 / 4 | 1 / 4 | 1 / 4 | 2 / 4 | 2 / 4 | 0 / 1 | 11 / 56 |
A = did not participate in the tournament. SR = the ratio of the number of Grand Slam men's doubles tournaments won to the number of those tournaments played.
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponent in the final | Score in the final |
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Winner | 2002 | Canada (W1) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
4–6, 7–6(7–1), 6–3 |
Runner-up | 2003 | Indian Wells (R1) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Wayne Ferreira Yevgeny Kafelnikov |
1–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 2003 | Cincinnati (W1) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Wayne Arthurs Paul Hanley |
7–5, 7–6(7–5) |
Runner-up | 2004 | Hamburg (R1) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett |
1–6, 2–6 |
Runner-up | 2004 | Madrid (R1) | Hard (i) | Bob Bryan | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
3–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 2005 | Monte Carlo (R1) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Leander Paes Nenad Zimonjić |
W/O |
Runner-up | 2005 | Rome (R1) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Michaël Llodra Fabrice Santoro |
5–7, 4–6 |
Winner | 2005 | Paris (W1) | Hard (i) | Bob Bryan | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
6–4, 6–7(3–7), 6–4 |
Runner-up | 2006 | Indian Wells (R2) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
4–6, 4–6 |
Runner-up | 2006 | Miami (R1) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
4–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 2006 | Canada (W2) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Paul Hanley Kevin Ullyett |
6–3, 7–5 |
Runner-up | 2006 | Cincinnati (R1) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
6–7(5–7), 4–6 |
Winner | 2006 | Madrid (W1) | Hard (i) | Bob Bryan | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
7–5, 6–4 |
Winner | 2007 | Miami (W1) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Leander Paes Martin Damm |
6–7(7–9), 6–3, [10–7] |
Winner | 2007 | Monte Carlo (W1) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Julien Benneteau Richard Gasquet |
6–2, 6–1 |
Runner-up | 2007 | Rome (R2) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Fabrice Santoro Nenad Zimonjić |
4–6, 6–7(4–7), [7–10] |
Winner | 2007 | Hamburg (W1) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Paul Hanley Kevin Ullyett |
6–3, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 2007 | Cincinnati (R2) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Jonathan Erlich Andy Ram |
6–4, 3–6, [11–13] |
Winner | 2007 | Madrid (W2) | Hard (i) | Bob Bryan | Mariusz Fyrstenberg Marcin Matkowski |
6–3, 7–6(7–4) |
Winner | 2007 | Paris (W2) | Hard (i) | Bob Bryan | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 7–6((7–4) |
Winner | 2008 | Miami (W2) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Mahesh Bhupathi Mark Knowles |
6–2, 6–2 |
Winner | 2008 | Rome (W1) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
3–6, 6–4, [10–8] |
Runner-up | 2008 | Hamburg (R2) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
4–6, 7–5, [8–10] |
Runner-up | 2008 | Canada (R1) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
2–6, 6–4, [6–10] |
Winner | 2008 | Cincinnati (W2) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Jonathan Erlich Andy Ram |
4–6, 7–6(7–2), [10–7] |
Runner-up | 2009 | Monte Carlo (R2) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
4–6, 1–6 |
Runner-up | 2009 | Rome (R3) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–7(5–7), 3–6 |
Runner-up | 2009 | Cincinnati (R3) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 6–7(2–7), [13–15] |
Winner | 2010 | Rome (W2) | Clay | Bob Bryan | John Isner Sam Querrey |
6–2, 6–3 |
Winner | 2010 | Madrid (W3) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 6–4 |
Winner | 2010 | Canada (W3) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Julien Benneteau Michaël Llodra |
7–5, 6–3 |
Winner | 2010 | Cincinnati (W3) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Mahesh Bhupathi Max Mirnyi |
6–3, 6–4 |
Winner | 2011 | Monte Carlo (W2) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Juan Ignacio Chela Bruno Soares |
6–3, 6–2 |
Winner | 2011 | Madrid (W4) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Michaël Llodra Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 2011 | Montreal (R2) | Hard | Bob Bryan | Michaël Llodra Nenad Zimonjić |
4–6, 7–6(7–5), [5–10] |
Winner | 2012 | Monte Carlo (W3) | Clay | Bob Bryan | Max Mirnyi Daniel Nestor |
6–2, 6–3 |
Awards | ||
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Preceded by Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor |
ITF World Champion (doubles) (with Bob Bryan) 2003–07 2009–11 |
Succeeded by Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor Incumbent |
Preceded by Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor |
ATP Doubles Team of the Year (with Bob Bryan) 2003 2004–07 2009–11 |
Succeeded by Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor Incumbent |
Preceded by New title |
ATP Fans' Favorite Team (with Bob Bryan) 2006–11 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
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Country | India |
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Residence | Kolkata, Mumbai |
Born | (1973-06-17) 17 June 1973 (age 39) Calcutta (Kolkata) |
Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Weight | 78 kg (170 lb; 12.3 st) |
Turned pro | 1991 |
Plays | Right-handed (one-handed backhand) |
Career prize money | $6,826,643 (singles & doubles combined) (as of 2 April 2012) |
Singles | |
Career record | 99–98 |
Career titles | 1 |
Highest ranking | No. 73 (24 August 1998) |
Grand Slam Singles results | |
Australian Open | 3 RD (1997, 2000) |
French Open | 2 RD (1997) |
Wimbledon | 2 RD (2001) |
US Open | 3 RD (1997) |
Other tournaments | |
Olympic Games | Bronze (1996) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 606–313 |
Career titles | 50 |
Highest ranking | No. 1 (21 June 1999) |
Current ranking | No. 7 (as of 2 April 2012) |
Grand Slam Doubles results | |
Australian Open | W (2012) |
French Open | W (1999, 2001, 2009) |
Wimbledon | W (1999) |
US Open | W (2006, 2009) |
Other Doubles tournaments | |
Tour Finals | F (1997, 1999, 2000, 2005) |
Olympic Games | Fourth place (2004) |
Mixed Doubles | |
Career titles | 6 |
Grand Slam Mixed Doubles results | |
Australian Open | W (2003, 2010) |
French Open | F (2005) |
Wimbledon | W (1999, 2003, 2010) |
US Open | W (2008) |
Last updated on: 30 January 2012 150px Signature of Leander Paes. |
Medal record | ||
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Competitor for India | ||
Men's Tennis | ||
Olympic Games | ||
Bronze | 1996 Atlanta | Singles |
Commonwealth Games | ||
Bronze | 2010 Delhi | Men's Doubles |
Asian Games | ||
Gold | 2002 Busan | Men's Doubles |
Gold | 2006 Doha | Men's Doubles |
Gold | 2006 Doha | Mixed Doubles |
Bronze | 1994 Hiroshima | Men's Singles |
Bronze | 2002 Busan | Mixed Doubles |
Leander Adrian Paes (Bengali: লিয়েন্ডার পেজ; born 17 June 1973) is an Indian professional tennis player who currently features in the doubles events in the ATP tour and the Davis Cup tournament. He is the sports ambassador of Haryana. Paes completed the career grand slam in men's doubles after winning the Australian Open in 2012. Having won seven doubles and six mixed doubles Grand Slam titles and finishing as runner up in numerous other Grand Slam finals, he is considered to be one of the greatest and most respected contemporary doubles and mixed doubles players in the world. He is among the most successful professional Indian tennis players and is also the former captain of the Indian Davis Cup team. He is the recipient of India's highest sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, in 1996–1997; the Arjuna Award in 1990; and the Padma Shri award in 2001 for his outstanding contribution to tennis in India. Paes is the great-grandson of the Bengali poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt.
Apart from his thirteen Grand Slam victories in doubles and mixed doubles events, he is famous for his several memorable Davis Cup performances playing for India and also for winning a bronze medal for India in the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games. He also achieved the rare men's doubles/mixed doubles double in the 1999 Wimbledon. His consecutive Olympic appearances from 1992 to 2008[1] make him the third Indian, after shooters Karni Singh and Randhir Singh, to compete at five Olympic Games. After winning the mixed doubles Wimbledon title in 2010, Paes became only the second man (after Rod Laver) to win Wimbledon titles in three different decades.[2] In 2010, he joined the Board of Directors of Olympic Gold Quest,[3] a foundation co-founded by Geet Sethi and Prakash Padukone to support talented athletes from India in winning Olympic medals.[4] Apart from the ATP circuit, he also plays in the World TeamTennis competition for Washington Kastles, the team which won the 2009 and 2011 season contest, the latter of which being the first team to complete an undefeated season at 16–0. He was named as MVP of the tournament for the years 2009 and 2011.[5]
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Leander was born in Goa, India on 17 June 1973. He was born to Vece Paes and Jennifer Paes and was raised in Kolkata. He was educated at La Martiniere Calcutta, Madras Christian College Hr Sec School, Chennai, and the Loyola College, Chennai of the University of Madras. His parents were both sportspersons. His father Vece Paes was a midfielder in the bronze medal-winning Indian field hockey team at the 1972 Munich Olympics.[6] His mother captained the Indian basketball team in the 1980 Asian basketball championship. Paes enrolled with the Britannia Amritraj Tennis Academy in Madras (Chennai) in 1985, where he was coached by Dave O'Meara.[7] The academy played a key role in his early development. Leander shot into international fame when he won the 1990 Wimbledon Junior title and rose to no. 1 in the junior world rankings.
Even from a very young age, Leander was a very coordinated child. Hence, his parents put him to whatever sports they wanted. His sporting abilities were observed right from the beginning by his parents, allowed them to scientifically groom it and develop till such time Leander was enough old to take care of himself.
Lee's mother Jennifer remembers those early days with the same fondness. "His appetite for sports was so much that he could not concrete on anything else. He was quite naughty too," says Jennifer.
Stories of Leander's naughtiness and an impish sense of humour abound, as this one from his mother would show. "I used to take the three children then to Kolkata School of Music for piano lessons. The teacher there would give homework to do, and once she checked Leander's excercise book to find that he hasn't done his work", Jennifer stopped at this for a dramatic pause. The next few lines of conversation went somewhat like this:
Teacher: Where is your homework? Leander: I have done it Madam. Teacher: (pauses, checks the book again) But why can't I find it? Leander: No Madam, I did it, but my ayah rubbed it off.
Thus life went on for Leander – school, alternating between one sport to another and teasing and tormenting his elder sisters. He would often accompany his father to the Mohun Bagan ground and try his hand at hockey with an oversized stick or visit the basketball tent and cheer lustily from the sidelines as his mother strode the courts.
It was tennis where the eight year old Leander took his first steps at the Calcutta (Kolkata) South Club courts under Anwar Ali, brother of former Davis Cupper and national coach Akhtar Ali. As he grew up with everybody, including Akhtar, Jaidip Mukherjee and even Akhtar's son Zeeshan, a few seniors to him who later went to play the Davis Cup.
However, Kolkata did not have any proper coaching system then where the Paes couple could enroll their Lee or Leander. And that is when the BAT (Britannia Amritraj Tennis Academy) happened!
Paes showed promise early in his career by winning titles at the Junior US Open and the Junior Wimbledon. He turned professional in 1991.[8] He rose to the number 1 in the world in the junior rankings.[9] In 1992, he reached the quarter finals of the doubles event in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics with Ramesh Krishnan.[10]
He went one better at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where he beat Fernando Meligeni to win the bronze medal, thus becoming the first Indian to win an individual medal since KD Jadhav won bronze at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics more than four decades earlier.[11] Paes cited the match as one of his greatest performances on the court, in part because his wrist was severely injured.[12] He was awarded the highest sporting honour by the government of India, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 1996.[13] His first successful year in the ATP circuit came in 1993, when he partnered Sébastien Lareau to reach the US Open doubles semifinal. After having a moderate season in 1994, he reached the quarterfinals of the 1995 Australian Open doubles with Kevin Ullyett. From 1996, he partnered with fellow-Indian Mahesh Bhupathi, which would prove to be a winning combination. Their first year was not a very successful one, especially in the Grand Slams, with a round of 32 finish at Wimbledon being the best. 1997 proved a much better year for the team of Paes and Bhupathi, with the semifinals of the US Open their best Grand Slam result. Paes climbed the doubles ranking from no. 89 at the beginning of the year to no. 14 at the end of the year.[14]
The doubles team of Paes and Bhupathi grew stronger in 1998, reaching the semifinals of three Grand Slams, the Australian Open, the French Open, and the US Open. In the same year, Paes had two of his biggest singles results in the ATP tour. The first one came by winning an ATP singles title at Newport, and the second was beating Pete Sampras, 6–3, 6–4, at the New Haven ATP tournament.[15][16][17][18] In 1999, the duo reached the finals of all four Grand Slams, winning Wimbledon and the French Open, thus becoming the first Indian pair to win a doubles event at a Grand Slam. Paes also teamed up with Lisa Raymond to win the mixed doubles event at Wimbledon. The year also marked his ascent to the no. 1 ranking in doubles.[19] The following year, Paes partnered with Sébastien Lareau for the Australian Open and Jan Siemerink for the French Open, losing in the first round on both occasions. Paes teamed up again with Bhupathi for the US Open, but lost in the first round again. The duo had a disappointing second -ound exit to Australian duo of Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde at the Sydney Olympics, despite high hopes.[20] Paes was given the honour of carrying the Indian Flag at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics.[21] In spite of a winning the French Open in 2001, the team of Bhupathi and Paes had first-round exits in the other three Grand Slams. Paes was awarded the Padmashri by the Government of India in 2001.[22] The duo of Paes and Bhupathi won the gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan.[23] In 2002, Leander paired up with Michael Hill for a number of tournaments, with moderate success.
Between 2003 and the present, Paes has increasingly focused on his doubles and mixed doubles game. Leander won the mixed doubles events at the Australian Open and Wimbledon with Martina Navaratilova, both in 2003. Weeks after the win at Wimbledon, Paes was admitted to the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando for a suspected brain tumor that was later found to be neurocysticercosis, a parasitic brain infection. While being treated, he had to miss the US Open, but he recovered by the end of that year.[24] In the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, he paired up with Bhupathi, failing again at the semifinals stage. His next Grand Slam success was in the US Open doubles event in 2006 with Martin Damm. Paes led the Indian tennis team at the Doha Asian Games in 2006 and won two golds in the men's doubles (partnering Bhupathi) and mixed doubles (partnering Sania Mirza).[25][26] Paes has maintained his doubles ranking in the top 20 in the world between 2005 and 2007.[27][28] With wins in the Rotterdam and Indian Wells, Paes took his doubles tally to 38.[29][30][31] Paes and Bhupathi took part in the men's doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka,[32] who went on to win the men's doubles gold medal.[33] Later in 2008, with Cara Black, he won the 2008 US Open mixed doubles title. In 2009, he won the French Open and US Open Men's doubles titles with Lukáš Dlouhý and was the runner-up in mixed doubles at the US Open. He began the 2010 season in good form, again winning the Australian Open mixed doubles title with Cara Black. This was the pair's third consecutive Grand Slam final and the fourth overall. The 2010 Wimbledon win with Black made Paes India's leading Grand Slam winner, ahead of his ex-doubles partner Mahesh Bhupathi, with a total of 12 grand slam titles.
Leander Paes started his Davis Cup career in 1990 at the young age of 16, when he partnered Zeeshan Ali in doubles to beat the Japanese team in a gruelling five-set encounter. He is considered one of the top Davis cup players for his country, with a record of 86–31 overall, as of January 2012.[34][35] He played an important role in the Indian Davis cup team that reached the World Group from 1991–1998. He was part of the Indian Davis Cup team that reached the semifinals of the 1993 Davis Cup with wins against Switzerland and France, eventually losing to Australia. In singles, his major wins came against French duo of Arnaud Boetsch and Henri Leconte in Frejus, France in 1993, Wayne Ferreira in 1994, and Goran Ivanišević in 1995 when India defeated Croatia, Jan Siemerink in 1995 to defeat Netherlands, and Jiří Novák in 1997.[36][37] He teamed up with Bhupathi to beat Hirszon and Ivanisevic of Croatia in 1995, Martin Damm and Petr Korda of the Czech Republic in 1997, Nicolás Massú and Marcelo Ríos of Chile in 1997, Broad and Tim Henman in 1998, and Simon Aspelin and Jonas Björkman of Sweden in 2005. In 2007, Leander has three wins (two doubles and one singles) and no losses in the Davis Cup.
Paes appeared with Bhupathi in six season finales.
In 2011, they appeared, for the first time since 2002, after securing qualification in mid-October. They were eliminated in the semifinals.
Paes played at the year-end championships with Bhupathi from 1997–2000 and in 2002, reaching three finals. In 1997, they lost the final to Rick Leach and Jonathan Stark. They lost the 1999 final to Sébastien Lareau and Alex O’Brien. In 2000, they lost the final to Donald Johnson and Pieter Norval.
Legend (Singles) |
---|
Grand Slam (0) |
Tennis Masters Cup (0) |
ATP Masters Series (0) |
ATP Tour (1) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 6 July 1998 | Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. | Grass | Neville Godwin | 6–3, 6–2 |
Legend (Doubles) |
---|
Grand Slam (7) |
ATP World Tour Finals (0) |
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 (12) |
ATP World Tour 500 Series (6) |
ATP World Tour 250 Series (25) |
No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | 7 April 1997 | Chennai, India | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Oleg Ogorodov Eyal Ran |
7–6, 7–5 |
2. | 28 April 1997 | Prague, Czech Republic | Clay | Mahesh Bhupathi | Petr Luxa David Škoch |
6–1, 6–1 |
3. | 28 July 1997 | Montreal, Canada | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Sébastien Lareau Alex O'Brien |
7–6, 6–3 |
4. | 11 August 1997 | New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Sébastien Lareau Alex O'Brien |
6–4, 6–7, 6–2 |
5. | 29 September 1997 | Beijing, China | Hard (i) | Mahesh Bhupathi | Alex O'Brien Jim Courier |
7–5, 7–6 |
6. | 6 October 1997 | Singapore | Carpet (i) | Mahesh Bhupathi | Rick Leach Jonathan Stark |
6–4, 6–4 |
7. | 5 January 1998 | Doha, Qatar | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Olivier Delaître Fabrice Santoro |
6–4, 3–6, 6–4 |
8. | 9 February 1998 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Donald Johnson Francisco Montana |
6–2, 7–5 |
9. | 6 April 1998 | Chennai, India (2) | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Olivier Delaître Max Mirnyi |
6–7, 6–3, 6–2 |
10. | 11 May 1998 | Rome, Italy | Clay | Mahesh Bhupathi | Ellis Ferreira Rick Leach |
6–4, 4–6, 7–6 |
11. | 5 October 1998 | Shanghai, China | Carpet (i) | Mahesh Bhupathi | Todd Woodbridge Mark Woodforde |
6–4, 6–7, 7–6 |
12. | 2 November 1998 | Paris, France | Carpet (i) | Mahesh Bhupathi | Jacco Eltingh Paul Haarhuis |
6–4, 6–2 |
13. | 5 April 1999 | Chennai, India (3) | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Wayne Black Neville Godwin |
4–6, 7–5, 6–4 |
14. | 24 May 1999 | French Open, France | Clay | Mahesh Bhupathi | Goran Ivanišević Jeff Tarango |
6–2, 7–5 |
15. | 14 June 1999 | 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands | Grass | Jan Siemerink | Ellis Ferreira David Rikl |
Walkover |
16. | 21 June 1999 | Wimbledon, United Kingdom | Grass | Mahesh Bhupathi | Paul Haarhuis Jared Palmer |
6–7, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6 |
17. | 5 July 1999 | Newport, Rhode Island, U.S. | Grass | Wayne Arthurs | Sargis Sargsian Chris Woodruff |
6–7, 7–6, 6–3 |
18. | 1 May 2000 | Orlando, Florida, U.S. | Clay | Jan Siemerink | Justin Gimelstob Sébastien Lareau |
6–3, 6–4 |
19. | 9 October 2000 | Tokyo, Japan | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Michael Hill Jeff Tarango |
6–4, 6–7, 6–3 |
20. | 23 April 2001 | Atlanta, U.S. | Clay | Mahesh Bhupathi | Rick Leach David Macpherson |
6–3, 7–6 |
21. | 30 April 2001 | Houston, Texas, U.S. (2) | Clay | Mahesh Bhupathi | Kevin Kim Jim Thomas |
7–6, 6–2 |
22. | 28 May 2001 | French Open, France (2) | Clay | Mahesh Bhupathi | Petr Pála Pavel Vízner |
7–6, 6–3 |
23. | 6 August 2001 | Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Martin Damm David Prinosil |
7–6, 6–3 |
24. | 31 December 2001 | Chennai, India (4) | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Tomáš Cibulec Ota Fukárek |
5–7, 6–2, 7–5 |
25. | 29 April 2002 | Majorca, Spain | Clay | Mahesh Bhupathi | Julian Knowle Michael Kohlmann |
6–2, 6–4 |
26. | 24 February 2003 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates (2) | Hard | David Rikl | Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett |
6–3, 6–0 |
27. | 3 March 2003 | Delray Beach, Florida, U.S. | Hard | Nenad Zimonjić | Raemon Sluiter Martin Verkerk |
7–5, 3–6, 7–5 |
28. | 7 July 2003 | Gstaad, Switzerland | Clay | David Rikl | František Čermák Leoš Friedl |
6–3, 6–3 |
29. | 7 June 2004 | Halle, Germany | Grass | David Rikl | Tomáš Cibulec Petr Pála |
6–2, 7–5 |
30. | 5 July 2004 | Gstaad, Switzerland (2) | Clay | David Rikl | Marc Rosset Stanislas Wawrinka |
6–4, 6–2 |
31. | 26 July 2004 | Toronto, Canada (2) | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
6–4, 6–2 |
32. | 13 September 2004 | Delray Beach, Florida, U.S. (2) | Hard | Radek Štěpánek | Gastón Etlis Martín Rodríguez |
6–0, 6–3 |
33. | 11 April 2005 | Monte Carlo, Monaco | Clay | Nenad Zimonjić | Bob Bryan Mike Bryan |
Walkover |
34. | 18 April 2005 | Barcelona, Spain | Clay | Nenad Zimonjić | Feliciano López Rafael Nadal |
6–3, 6–3 |
35. | 26 September 2005 | Bangkok, Thailand | Hard (i) | Paul Hanley | Jonathan Erlich Andy Ram |
6–7, 6–1, 6–2 |
36. | 19 June 2006 | 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands (2) | Grass | Martin Damm | Arnaud Clément Chris Haggard |
6–1, 7–6 |
37. | 28 August 2006 | US Open, U.S. | Hard | Martin Damm | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
6–7, 6–4, 6–3 |
38. | 19 February 2007 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Hard (i) | Martin Damm | Andrei Pavel Alexander Waske |
6–3, 6–7, [10–7] |
39. | 5 March 2007 | Indian Wells, California, U.S. | Hard | Martin Damm | Jonathan Erlich Andy Ram |
6–4, 6–4 |
40. | 21 September 2008 | Bangkok, Thailand (2) | Hard (i) | Lukáš Dlouhý | Scott Lipsky David Martin |
6–4, 7–6(7–4) |
41. | 6 June 2009 | French Open, France (3) | Clay | Lukáš Dlouhý | Wesley Moodie Dick Norman |
3–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
42. | 13 September 2009 | US Open, U.S. (2) | Hard | Lukáš Dlouhý | Mahesh Bhupathi Mark Knowles |
3–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
43. | 3 April 2010 | Miami, Florida, U.S. | Hard | Lukáš Dlouhý | Mahesh Bhupathi Max Mirnyi |
6–2, 7–5 |
44. | 17 October 2010 | Shanghai, China | Hard | Jürgen Melzer | Mariusz Fyrstenberg Marcin Matkowski |
7–5, 4–6, [10–5] |
45. | 9 January 2011 | Chennai, India (5) | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Robin Haase David Martin |
6–2, 6–7(3–7), [10–7] |
46. | 2 April 2011 | Miami, Florida, U.S. (2) | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Max Mirnyi Daniel Nestor |
6–7(5–7), 6–2, [10–5] |
47. | 21 August 2011 | Cincinnati, U.S. | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Michaël Llodra Nenad Zimonjić |
7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–2) |
48. | 8 January 2012 | Chennai, India (6) | Hard | Janko Tipsarevic | Andy Ram Jonathan Erlich |
6–4, 6–4 |
49. | 28 January 2012 | Australian Open, Australia | Hard | Radek Štěpánek | Bob Bryan Mike Bryan |
7–6(7–1), 6–2 |
50. | 31 March 2012 | Miami, Florida, U.S. (3) | Hard | Radek Štěpánek | Max Mirnyi Daniel Nestor |
3–6, 6–1, [10–8] |
By winning the 2012 Australian Open title, Paes achieved the career Grand Slam.
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Runner-up | 1999 | Australian Open | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Jonas Björkman Patrick Rafter |
6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–7(10–12), 6–4 |
Winner | 1999 | French Open | Clay | Mahesh Bhupathi | Goran Ivanišević Jeff Tarango |
6–2, 7–5 |
Winner | 1999 | Wimbledon | Grass | Mahesh Bhupathi | Paul Haarhuis Jared Palmer |
6–7(10–12), 6–3, 6–4, 7–6(7–4) |
Runner-up | 1999 | US Open | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Sébastien Lareau Alex O'Brien |
7–6, 6–4 |
Winner | 2001 | French Open (2) | Clay | Mahesh Bhupathi | Petr Pála Pavel Vízner |
7–6, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 2004 | US Open | Hard | David Rikl | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
6–3, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 2006 | Australian Open | Hard | Martin Damm | Bob Bryan Mike Bryan |
4–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
Winner | 2006 | US Open | Hard | Martin Damm | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
6–7(5–7), 6–4, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 2008 | US Open | Hard | Lukáš Dlouhý | Bob Bryan Mike Bryan |
7–6(7–5), 7–6(12–10) |
Winner | 2009 | French Open (3) | Clay | Lukáš Dlouhý | Wesley Moodie Dick Norman |
3–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
Winner | 2009 | US Open (2) | Hard | Lukáš Dlouhý | Mahesh Bhupathi Mark Knowles |
3–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 2010 | French Open | Clay | Lukáš Dlouhý | Nenad Zimonjić Daniel Nestor |
7–5, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 2011 | Australian Open | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi | Bob Bryan Mike Bryan |
3–6, 4–6 |
Winner | 2012 | Australian Open | Hard | Radek Štěpánek | Bob Bryan Mike Bryan |
7–6(7–1), 6–2 |
Outcome | Year | Championship | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Winner | 1999 | Wimbledon | Grass | Lisa Raymond | Anna Kournikova Jonas Björkman |
6–4, 3–6, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 2001 | US Open | Hard | Lisa Raymond | Rennae Stubbs Todd Woodbridge |
6–4, 5–7, [11–9] |
Winner | 2003 | Australian Open | Hard | Martina Navrátilová | Eleni Daniilidou Todd Woodbridge |
6–4, 7–5 |
Winner | 2003 | Wimbledon (2) | Grass | Martina Navrátilová | Anastassia Rodionova Andy Ram |
6–3, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 2004 | Australian Open | Hard | Martina Navrátilová | Elena Bovina Nenad Zimonjić |
6–1, 7–6 |
Runner-up | 2005 | French Open | Clay | Martina Navrátilová | Daniela Hantuchová Fabrice Santoro |
3–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
Runner-up | 2007 | US Open | Hard | Meghann Shaughnessy | Victoria Azarenka Max Mirnyi |
6–4, 7–6(8–6) |
Winner | 2008 | US Open | Hard | Cara Black | Liezel Huber Jamie Murray |
7–6, 6–4 |
Runner-up | 2009 | Wimbledon | Grass | Cara Black | Anna-Lena Grönefeld Mark Knowles |
7–5, 6–3 |
Runner-up | 2009 | US Open | Hard | Cara Black | Carly Gullickson Travis Parrot |
6–2, 6–4 |
Winner | 2010 | Australian Open (2) | Hard | Cara Black | Ekaterina Makarova Jaroslav Levinský |
7–5, 6–3 |
Winner | 2010 | Wimbledon (3) | Grass | Cara Black | Lisa Raymond Wesley Moodie |
6–4, 7–6 |
Runner-up | 2012 | Australian Open | Hard | Elena Vesnina | Bethanie Mattek-Sands Horia Tecău |
3–6, 7–5, [3–10] |
Tournament | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | SR | W–L |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grand Slams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australian Open | A | A | A | 2R | QF | A | 1R | SF | F | 1R | 1R | 2R | QF | 1R | A | F | 3R | 2R | SF | QF | F | W | 1 / 17 | 43–16 |
French Open | A | A | A | A | A | A | 2R | SF | W | 1R | W | SF | SF | 2R | QF | 1R | 2R | 3R | W | F | 2R | 3 / 15 | 44–12 | |
Wimbledon | A | A | 1R | 3R | A | 2R | 1R | 2R | W | A | 1R | 1R | SF | 2R | QF | SF | QF | SF | 1R | 2R | 2R | 1 / 17 | 31–16 | |
US Open | A | A | SF | 2R | 1R | A | SF | SF | F | 1R | 1R | 2R | A | F | 1R | W | 1R | F | W | 1R | QF | 2 / 17 | 44–15 | |
Win–Loss | 0–0 | 0–0 | 4–2 | 4–3 | 3–2 | 0–1 | 5–4 | 13–4 | 22–2 | 0–3 | 6–3 | 6–4 | 11–3 | 7–4 | 6–3 | 15–3 | 6–4 | 16–4 | 16–2 | 9–4 | 10–4 | 6–0 | 7 / 66 | 162–59 |
Year End Championships | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tennis Masters Cup | A | A | A | A | A | A | F | RR | F | F | RR | NH | A | A | F | SF | SF | RR | RR | RR | SF | 0 / 12 | 19–27 | |
Summer Olympics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summer Olympics | NH | QF | Not Held | 2R | Not Held | 2R | Not Held | SF | Not Held | QF | Not Held | 0 / 5 | 9–6 | |||||||||||
Masters Series | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indian Wells | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | 1R | A | SF | 2R | 1R | 1R | SF | 1R | QF | 2R | W | QF | 2R | 1R | 2R | QF | 1 / 16 | 19–15 |
Miami | A | A | A | 2R | 1R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | A | 2R | F | QF | 1R | A | F | QF | 2R | W | W | W | 3 / 17 | 32–14 |
Monte Carlo | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | SF | 2R | A | SF | 1R | 2R | A | W | 2R | A | 2R | SF | 2R | A | 1 / 10 | 11–9 | |
Rome | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | W | A | A | 1R | 1R | 2R | 2R | QF | 2R | SF | 2R | QF | QF | 2R | 1 / 12 | 10–11 | |
Madrid (Stuttgart) | A | A | A | A | A | A | QF | F | A | A | QF | 2R | A | 1R | F | 1R | 2R | 2R | A | SF | A | 0 / 10 | 10–10 | |
Canada | A | A | A | A | A | A | W | SF | QF | A | 1R | QF | QF | W | 2R | SF | QF | SF | A | 2R | 2R | 2 / 13 | 19–11 | |
Cincinnati | A | A | 1R | A | A | A | QF | A | 2R | A | W | 1R | 2R | QF | QF | SF | SF | QF | 2R | 2R | W | 2 / 14 | 17–12 | |
Shanghai | Not Held | A | W | SF | 1 / 2 | 6–1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Paris | A | A | A | A | A | A | 2R | W | A | A | F | 2R | 1R | 1R | A | 1R | 2R | A | 2R | QF | 2R | 1 / 11 | 9–10 | |
Hamburg | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | 2R | A | 1R | 2R | SF | SF | SF | A | A | SF | NM1 | 0 / 7 | 11–6 | |||
Win–Loss | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 1–1 | 0–1 | 1–2 | 9–5 | 16–4 | 3–5 | 1–2 | 12–7 | 5–9 | 9–7 | 11–7 | 12–8 | 6–6 | 12–6 | 11–9 | 5–6 | 12–7 | 11–5 | 11 / 110 | 137–98 | |
Ranking | 481 | 179 | 93 | 142 | 76 | 89 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 84 | 9 | 33 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 8 |
Leander Paes is known for changing partnerships and experimenting with it. Alexander Peya will be the 87th men's doubles partner of Paes' career when the two men team up at the 2012 French Open. Paes has also teamed with 19 players in Mixed Doubles. Martina Navratilova, Cara Black, Lisa Raymond are few to name. He's currently playing with Elena Vesnina in Mixed Doubles.
"I would especially like to thank Leander Paes ... he doesn't play for money, but for the sheer love of game."
No. | Partner | Years Played With |
---|---|---|
1 | Charlton Eagle | 1991 |
2 | Juan Rios | 1991 |
3 | Ramesh Krishnan | 1991, 1992, 1993 |
4 | Zeeshan Ali | 1991 |
5 | Andrew Sznajder | 1992 |
6 | Bertrand Madsen | 1992 |
7 | Donald Johnson | 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2003 |
8 | Gilad Bloom | 1992, 1994 |
9 | Kevin Ullyett | 1992, 1997 |
10 | Nicklas Utgren | 1992 |
11 | Nicola Bruno | 1992 |
12 | Todd Nelson | 1992, 1993 |
13 | Arne Thoms | 1993 |
14 | Byron Black | 1993, 2000 |
15 | Ellis Ferreira | 1993 |
16 | Fernon Wibier | 1993 |
17 | Jean-Philippe Fleurian | 1993 |
18 | Johan De Beer | 1993 |
19 | Laurence Tieleman | 1993, 1995 |
20 | Oliver Fernandez | 1993 |
21 | Sebastien Lareau | 1993, 1994, 2000 |
22 | Shuzo Matsuoka | 1993 |
23 | Stefan Kruger | 1993 |
24 | Tommy Ho | 1993 |
25 | Vladimir Gabrichidze | 1993 |
26 | Wayne Arthurs | 1993, 1999, 2000 |
27 | Adam Malik | 1994 |
28 | Albert Chang | 1994 |
29 | Daniel Nestor | 1994 |
30 | Gaurav Natekar | 1994, 1995 |
31 | Mahesh Bhupathi | 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
32 | Marius Barnard | 1994 |
33 | Mark Kaplan | 1994 |
34 | Mark Knowles | 1994 |
35 | Marten Renstrom | 1994 |
36 | Richard Matuszewski | 1994 |
37 | Stephen Noteboom | 1994 |
38 | Clinton Ferreira | 1995 |
39 | David Adams | 1995 |
40 | Eyal Ran | 1995 |
41 | Kent Kinnear | 1995 |
42 | Lars-Anders Wahlgren | 1995 |
43 | Matt Lucena | 1995 |
44 | Maurice Ruah | 1995 |
45 | Nicolas Pereira | 1995, 1996 |
46 | Oscar Ortiz | 1995 |
47 | Wayne Black | 1995, 1996 |
48 | Chris Haggard | 1996, 2000 |
49 | David Dilucia | 1996 |
50 | Devin Bowen | 1996 |
51 | Jeff Belloli | 1996 |
52 | Neville Godwin | 1996 |
53 | Marcos Ondruska | 1997 |
54 | Mark Keil | 1997 |
55 | Nitten Kirrtane | 1997 |
56 | Roger Smith | 1997 |
57 | Peter Tramacchi | 1998 |
58 | Piet Norval | 1998 |
59 | Jan Siemerink | 1999, 2000 |
60 | Jared Palmer | 1999 |
61 | Jonas Bjorkman | 1999, 2004 |
62 | Olivier Delaitre | 1999 |
63 | Fazaluddin Syed | 2000 |
64 | Nicolas Lapentti | 2000 |
65 | Vishal Uppal | 2000, 2002 |
66 | Mustafa Ghouse | 2001 |
67 | David Rikl | 2002, 2003, 2004 |
68 | John-Laffnie de Jager | 2002 |
69 | Justin Gimelstob | 2002 |
70 | Michael Hill | 2002 |
71 | Michael Llodra | 2002 |
72 | Stephen Huss | 2002 |
73 | Tomas Cibulec | 2002, 2004 |
74 | Nenad Zimonjić | 2003, 2005 |
75 | Jonathan Erlich | 2004 |
76 | Radek Štěpánek | 2004, 2006, 2012 |
77 | Paul Hanley | 2005, 2007, 2008 |
78 | Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi | 2006 |
79 | Martin Damm | 2006, 2007 |
80 | Rohan Bopanna | 2007, 2012 |
81 | Sunil-Kumar Sipaeya | 2007 |
82 | Lukáš Dlouhý | 2008, 2009, 2010 |
83 | Tommy Robredo | 2008 |
84 | Scott Lipsky | 2009 |
85 | Jürgen Melzer | 2010 |
86 | Janko Tipsarević | 2012 |
87 | Alexander Peya | 2012 |
Paes is the great-grandson of the Bengali poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt. Previously having dated Bollywood actress Mahima Chaudhary, he is now married to Rhea Pillai (ex-wife of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt) and has a daughter Aiyana.
The duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi were nicknamed as "Indian Express". Leander Paes' off-and-on partnership with Bhupathi draws constant media attention in his home country, India.[40][41][42] In the 2006 Asian Games, a loss to the Chinese Taipei team in the team event led Leander to question Bhupathi's commitment to Team India.[43] He once stated in an interview that although he and Bhupathi are friends, he did not consider pairing with his former team-mate.[44] However, for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, they decided to play together for their country,[45] and lost in the quarterfinals to the eventual champions Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka.[46]
In 2011, the "Indian Express" pair won the doubles title at Chennai Open. They reunited to play in a Grand Slam Tournament after nine years and claimed runners-up in the 2011 Australian Open and reached the semifinals in the year-end championships.[47]
The Indian Duo has a 303–103 career record together. They have higher success rate against various top teams.[48] They have a Davis Cup record of longest winning streak in doubles, with 23 straight wins.[49]
It has been announced that Bhupathi will team with Rohan Bopanna for the 2012 season. Paes will partner Czech Radek Štěpánek.[50]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Leander Paes |
Preceded by Karnam Malleswari |
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 1996/1997 Joint with Nameirakpam Kunjarani |
Succeeded by Sachin Tendulkar |
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Name | Paes, Leander |
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Date of birth | 17 June 1973 |
Place of birth | Calcutta (Kolkata) |
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Twin brothers Robert Charles Bryan (Bob) and Michael Carl Bryan (Mike) are American professional tennis double players. They have been the World No. 1 doubles players for over 270 weeks (as of January 2, 2012), which is longer than anyone else in doubles history. Also, they have finished the ATP year-end number 1 doubles team a record 7 times. Between 2005 and 2006, they set an Open Era record by competing in seven consecutive men's doubles Grand Slam finals, three of which they won. On August 11, 2011, they recorded their Open Era record 700th match win by defeating Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco in the second round of the 2011 Rogers Cup.
Born on April 29, 1978, with Mike being older by two minutes, and Bob taller by 3 cm, The Bryans, as they are known, have won a record 77 tour titles surpassing The Woodies, and have been finalists on 42 other occasions. They have a career Grand Slam that includes victories at the French Open (2003), US Open (2005, 2008 and 2010), Australian Open (2006, 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011), and Wimbledon (2006, 2011). They won the Tennis Masters Cup doubles tournament three times (2003, 2004 and 2009). They won the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. They also won the 2007 Davis Cup along with Andy Roddick and James Blake. The Bryan Brothers were named ATP Team of the Decade for 2000–2009.[1]
The twins are part of the United States Davis Cup team, with a 18–2 record in doubles matches. Their two losses were to Croatia's Ivan Ljubičić and Mario Ančić[2] and, in 2008, to France's Arnaud Clément and Michaël Llodra. Both brothers have played Davis Cup singles matches (Bob is 4–2 and Mike is 0–1).
The brothers, who both use single-handed backhands, are noted for their attacking style of play and great hustle. They are also well known for celebrating winning points by chest bumping each other.[3]
Mike and Bob are featured on the cover of the January/February 2010 issue of Making Music Magazine where there is an article about their experiences and passion for recreational music.
Though famous for their tennis and their music, they are also dedicated to helping children in need through their foundation, The Bryan Bros. Foundation.
Contents |
Time span | Selected Grand Slam tournament records | Players matched |
---|---|---|
2003 French Open — 2011 Wimbledon |
11 titles as a team | Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde |
2003 French Open — 2012 Australian Open |
20 finals as a team | Stands alone |
2005 US Open — 2011 Wimbledon |
7 consecutive years winning 1+ title | Stands alone |
2005 Australian Open — 2006 Wimbledon |
7 consecutive finals | Stands alone |
Grand Slam tournaments | Time Span | Records at each Grand Slam tournament | Players matched |
---|---|---|---|
Australian Open | 2006–2011 | 5 titles overall | Stands alone |
Australian Open | 2009–2011 | 3 consecutive titles | Stands alone |
Time span | Other selected records | Players matched |
---|---|---|
2002–2011 | 20 Masters 1000 titles overall | Stands alone |
2001–2012 | 77 titles as a team[4] | Stands alone |
1999–2012 | 119 finals as a team | Stands alone |
1996–2012 | 739 match wins as a team | Stands alone |
2003–2012 | 291 total weeks at No. 1 | Stands alone |
2005–2011 | 6 Year–End No. 1 for individual players' ranking | Stands alone |
2003–2011 | 7 Year–End No. 1 for team ranking | Stands alone |
Bob and Mike won their first doubles tournament at age 6, in a 10-and-under event. They had an outstanding junior career, winning well over a hundred junior doubles titles together. They won the 1991 USTA National Boys' 14 Doubles Championships, the 1992 USTA National Boys' 14 Clay Court doubles title, the 1994 USTA National Boys' 16 Clay Court doubles title, the 1995 USTA National Boys' 18 Clay Courts doubles title, the junior doubles title at the 1995 Ojai Valley, California Tennis Tournament, and the first-ever Easter Bowl boys' 18 doubles title.
The brothers won the USTA National Boys' 18 Clay Court Championships again in 1996, becoming the first team in 30 years to repeat as doubles champions at that event. Bob and Mike became the first repeat doubles champions in 50 years at the 1996 USTA National Boys' 18 Championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan, defeating Michael Russell and Kevin Kim in the final.
The Bryans then won the 1996 US Open junior boys' doubles title, defeating Daniele Bracciali of Italy and Jocelyn Robichaud of Canada 5–7, 6–3, 6–4 in the final. They went on to win the bronze medal at the 1999 Pan American Games at Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, where they represented the United States for the first time as professionals.
They attended Mesa Union School in Somis, California, for elementary and junior high school, then attended Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, California. Both brothers were awarded full-ride tennis scholarships to Stanford University in fall 1996, and played there through 1998, helping the team to NCAA team title both years. They won the NCAA doubles title in 1998, defeating Kelly Gullet and Robert Lindstedt of Pepperdine University in the final, becoming the first brothers to win the NCAA doubles title since Robert and Tom Falkenberg of USC in 1946. They finished the year ranked No. 1 in the collegiate doubles rankings.
The Bryans made their professional and Grand Slam debut at the 1995 US Open, where they lost in the first round to Grant Connell and Patrick Galbraith.
Their first tour win came in 1998, at the ATP tournament in Atlanta, where they scored victory over Trevor Kronemann and Dave Randall. They reached the quarter-finals and lost to Grant Stafford and Kevin Ullyett. They made the semi-final of the ATP tournament at Washington, D.C. and won two Challenger tournaments, at Aptos and Burbank.
In 1999, the twins reached their first ATP final at Orlando, falling in the finals to Jim Courier and Todd Woodbridge. They reached the semi-finals at Scottsdale, and the quarter-finals at Indian Wells and Key Biscayne. The brothers were successful on the Challenger Circuit, winning three tournaments (Amarillo, Birmingham, Burbank), and reaching the finals in four others.
The next season saw the Bryan brothers win their first match at a Grand Slam when they reached the quarter-finals of the US Open (1st round, beat David Adams and John-Laffnie de Jager. They reached three ATP semi-finals (San Jose, Orlando, Newport), and two other quarter-finals (Queen's Club, Washington, D.C.). On the Challenger Circuit they won the title at Aptos and were losing finalists at San Antonio, Burbank and Rancho Mirage.
2001 was the first real successful season for the Bryans as they captured four titles (Memphis, Queen's Club, Newport, Los Angeles) in five finals (were finalists at Washington to Martin Damm and David Prinosil). The first ATP doubles title came at Memphis, by defeating Alex O'Brien and Jonathan Stark in the final. They became the first brothers combination to win four titles in a season (Tim and Tom Gullikson won three in 1978 and 1982). They reached their first Grand Slam semi-final at Wimbledon and finished the year at No. 7 in the ATP Doubles Race, with a 45–23 match record.
The next season saw the Bryans win a career-high five ATP doubles titles, including their first ATP Masters Series title. They won that AMS title at Toronto, where they beat Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor in the final. They won titles at Acapulco, Scottsdale, Newport, and Basel, and were runner-ups at Adelaide, Memphis and Washington. They advanced to the semi-finals at Wimbledon for the second straight year, and reached the semifinals as well at the US Open (where they lost to Mahesh Bhupathi/Max Mirnyi), at Washington and at the Madrid Masters. They finished the season with a 54–19 match record and in third place in the doubles race.
2003 was a landmark season for the Bryans. They reached their first Grand Slam final at Roland Garros, where they also won their first Grand Slam title, beating Paul Haarhuis and Yevgeny Kafelnikov in the final, and did not drop a set all through the tournament. They won five titles for the second successive year (Barcelona, Roland Garros, Nottingham, Cincinnati Masters, Tennis Masters Cup). With their win at Roland Garros, the Bryans set the record for most doubles titles by a brothers team, breaking Tim and Tom Gullikson's mark of 10. They reached the finals of three other tournaments, including the US Open, became the first brothers duo to finish number 1 in the ATP race, and closed the season by winning the title at Tennis Masters Cup, Houston. They also made their Davis Cup debut' for the United States in 2003, in the World Group Playoff tie in Slovak Republic, beating Karol Beck/Dominik Hrbatý in straight sets and helping the US to a 3–2 victory.
In 2004, they won a career-best seven titles, the victories coming at Adelaide, Memphis, Acapulco, Queen's Club, Los Angeles, Basel and Tennis Masters Cup Houston. They also reached four other finals. They were part of the US Tennis Team at the Athens Olympics in 2004, where they lost in the quarter-finals to eventual gold medalists Fernando González and Nicolás Massú of Chile. They finished another successful season by winning the Tennis Masters Cup for the second year running.
In 2005, the Bryans reached all four Grand Slam finals, and though they lost in the first three (Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon), they won the second Grand Slam of their career at the US Open in front of cheering home fans. They also won tournaments at Scottsdale, Queen's Club and Washington, and made it to the finals at Memphis, Monte Carlo TMS and Rome TMS.
In 2006, the twins won the first Grand Slam of the season, the 2006 Australian Open, where they beat Leander Paes of India and Martin Damm of the Czech Republic in the final. They completed the career slam a few months later at Wimbledon, beating Fabrice Santoro and Martin Damm in four sets in the final.
2007 saw the Bryans win 11 titles. They started losing in the first round of their first tournament, but entered the 2007 Australian Open and won it defeating Jonas Björkman and Max Mirnyi in the final. Björkman and Mirnyi had defeated the Bryans for two years running in the French Open finals. The Bryans only lost one set.
Their second title of the season came in Las Vegas where the outstanding team beat Jonathan Erlich/Andy Ram. At the 2007 Miami Masters, the twins won the Masters Series title, defeating Martin Damm and Leander Paes. Their fourth title came without a set's loss in Houston, defeating Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor in the final.
The pair won their fifth title on the 2007 ATP Tour and second Masters Series title of the year at the Monte Carlo Masters; as for they missed Indian Wells. The team defeated Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut in the final. At the Rome Masters, however, the Bryans lost to Fabrice Santoro and Nenad Zimonjić. It was the first Masters Series match that the Bryans lost in 2007.
The Hamburg Masters saw the Bryans beat Paul Hanley and Kevin Ullyett in the final for a sixth title on the 2007 ATP Tour and third Masters Series event of the year.
The Bryans lost to Lukáš Dlouhý and Pavel Vízner at the 2007 French Open and to Knowles and Nestor at Queen's Club. They lost in the Wimbledon finals to Arnaud Clément and Michaël Llodra, but did avenge Dlouhý/Vízner in the quarter-finals and Santoro/Zimonjić in the semi-finals.
The seventh title of their season came in Los Angeles when the tandem defeated Scott Lipsky and David Martin in the final. In Washington, D.C., the team defeated Erlich/Ram in the final. The Bryans did not reach the finals in the 2007 Rogers Masters, which is the second time that the Bryans did not reach a 2007 Masters Series final. They lost in the finals of the 2007 Cincinnati Masters to Erlich/Ram.
Their next event was the 2007 US Open. The team lost in the quarter-finals to eventual champions Simon Aspelin and Julian Knowle. Each lost in the second round of mixed doubles competition.
Bob and Mike's ninth title came at the 2007 Madrid Masters, beating Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski in the final. Their tenth title of the season came in Basel, where they beat James Blake and Mark Knowles.
The Bryan Brothers won their eleventh title in 2007 at the 2007 Paris Masters. The team defeated Lukáš Dlouhý and Pavel Vízner in the quarter-finals, and avenged Aspelin and Knowle in the semifinals. They then defeated second seeds Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjić in the final.
The Bryans earned No. 1 spot in the ATP doubles race and thus were entered into the 2007 Tennis Masters Cup. However, Mike had an elbow injury and could not compete.[6]
The Bryans won the third rubber in the 2007 Davis Cup finals, defeating Igor Andreev and Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, the country who held the title. Andy Roddick had sealed a win over Dmitry Tursunov and James Blake defeated Mikhail Youzhny, however, Bob lost his first Davis Cup singles match in the 4th dead rubber, falling to Andreev. However, Blake defeated Tursunov in the 5th dead rubber to end the tie 4–1 to earn the title for the United States.
The Bryan Brothers started their season on the 2008 ATP Tour by entering the 2008 Medibank International in Sydney. They survived a quarter-final match against Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram and later entered the final, falling to Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The Bryans again made a good appearance at the 2008 Australian Open. The team breezed through their first three rounds before losing to Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles.
Soon afterwards, the Bryans beat Austria's Julian Knowle and Jürgen Melzer in the first round of the 2008 Davis Cup. Mike had to retire against Stefan Koubek in singles, while Bob Bryan defeated Werner Eschauer in three sets for the US to win the tie.
The Bryans lost to Max Mirnyi and Jamie Murray in the 2008 Delray Beach International Tennis Championships final, and to fellow Stanford Alumni Scott Lipsky and David Martin in the final of the 2008 SAP Open in San Jose, California. The Bryans made it to the final of the Tennis Channel Open in Las Vegas, producing wins over Xavier Malisse and Hugo Armando, Chris Guccione and Lleyton Hewitt, and Marcos Baghdatis and Konstantinos Economidis, but went down in the final to Julien Benneteau and Michaël Llodra. The Bryans lost in the quarter-finals of the 2008 Indian Wells Masters to Mirnyi and Murray once more.
The Bryans captured their first title of the season at the 2008 Miami Masters, beating Bhupathi and Knowles. After this, they lost in their Davis Cup match to Arnaud Clément and Llodra. They lost to Jeff Coetzee and Wesley Moodie at the 2008 Monte Carlo Masters, however, they then claimed a second title on the 2008 ATP Tour in Barcelona at the 2008 Torneo Godó, beating Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski to win the final. At the Rome Masters, they beat Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjić to claim the title. This made the Indian Wells Masters as the only ATP Masters Series to have escaped them.
Following their strong showings in Italy, the Bryans moved on to the 2008 Hamburg Masters, where they only lost one set before reaching the final. However, Nestor and Zimonjić claimed the title, avenging their loss at the 2008 Rome Masters. Then, two weeks later, the Bryans entered the 2008 French Open. Their second Grand Slam of the year looked to be a strong one, however they fell to Pablo Cuevas and Luis Horna in the quarter-finals. Again, they lost at the 2008 Queen's Club Championships to Marcelo Melo and André Sá, of whom they had beaten in Hamburg. Another Grand Slam setback occurred for them at the 2008 Wimbledon Championships, when the twins lost in the semi-finals in a tight match against Jonas Björkman and Kevin Ullyett. The Bryans continued to play their way into tournaments, as they reached the final of the 2008 Canada Masters where they lost to Nestor and Zimonjić. Their losses ended at the 2008 Cincinnati Masters, when they came from behind to beat Bhupathi and Knowles. They won the title with a comeback against Israel's Erlich and Ram, earning themselves two successive wins coming back from the loss of the first set.
They combined together to win the Bronze Medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics beating Clément and Llodra 3–6, 6–3, 6–4. They did not appear again until the 2008 US Open. However, carrying the weight of the bronze, the team won the title. They then lost in the quarter-finals of the 2008 Madrid Masters to Björkman and Ullyett.[7]
At the 2008 Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, they reached the final, only to be defeated by Nestor and Zimonjić and so to lose their positions as world Number 1s for the first time in three years.
In January, the Bryans entered the Medibank International, in Sydney, Australia, defeating Simone Bolelli and Andreas Seppi, and in the quarter-final, Tommy Robredo and Feliciano López in straight sets. They survived a semi-final match against Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles. They avenged their Tennis Masters Cup doubles final loss with a win over Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjić to win their first Medibank International doubles title in 10 years.
At the season's first Grand Slam, in Melbourne, the Australian Open, the Bryan Brothers won the men's Doubles final, on Saturday, January 31, defeating India's Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles from the Bahamas in three sets. The outcome was historical in that it was the first time in tennis history that siblings had won both categories of Doubles titles – men's and women's – at a Major, as Venus and Serena Williams had won the Women's Doubles title at the Australian Open the previous night.
At the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, they defeated second seeds Marcelo Melo and André Sá for their third title of the year and to win the tournament for the first time ever.
The broke the US record for most wins in Davis Cup doubles as a pair with 15 wins when they beat the Swiss team of Stanislas Wawrinka and Yves Allegro in the 2009 Davis Cup 1st round. Mike Bryan got one more win in Davis cup doubles (total 16) with Mardy Fish when his brother Bob was out of play due to injury in the 2008 semi-finals.
At the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston, they beat fellow Americans Jesse Levine and Ryan Sweeting to win their fourth title of the year. At the Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell and Internazionali BNL d'Italia, they failed to defend their titles as they lost to Bhupathi and Knowles and to Nestor and Zimonjic in the semi-finals and final respectively. They exited the French Open in the semi-finals to South African-Belgian pair Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman after losing three match points.
They were seeded first at Wimbledon, where they reached the final without dropping a set. however, they lost the final against arch-rivals Nestor and Zimonjic in four sets.
They started their US Open Series and North American hard-court season by winning the LA Tennis Open over Benjamin Becker and Frank Moser of Germany.
They were the defending champions at the 2009 US Open and lost in the quarter-finals to Lukáš Dlouhý and Leander Paes in a re-match of the 2008 final despite saving five match points. The Bryans then won their next ATP World Tour 500 title in Beijing. The next week, they competed at the eight Masters 1000 tournament of the year, the Shanghai Masters, but lost in the quarter-finals. They then competed in Basel as a warm-up tournament before Paris and London. They reached the final but lost to Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjić. At Paris, they lost at the quarter-finals. However, they captured the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals to end the year as the World No. 1 Doubles Team for the fifth time and capture the Year-End Championships for the third time.
The year 2009 was the first year since 2004 where the brothers did not win any ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments.
The Bryans started 2010 by playing at the 2010 Heineken Open in Auckland. However, the pair lost in the first round. They then went on successfully defending their title at the 2010 Australian Open, beating Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjić in the final, thus claiming their fourth Australian Open title and eighth major title. They also defended their titles at the 2010 Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (where they earned their 600th victory as a team) and the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships in Houston.
The Bryans also participated in the first round of Davis Cup, where they were drawn to face Serbia in Belgrade on clay courts. Mike withdrew due to food poisoning and was replaced by John Isner. Bob and John won the doubles rubber in five sets against Janko Tipsarević and Zimonjic. However, the US lost the tie 3–2 (with the last rubber being a dead rubber).
The Bryans then won two back to back Masters Series titles during the European clay tour at the 2010 Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome and the 2010 Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open. They defeated compatriots Isner and Sam Querrey in Rome and co-world no. 1s Nestor and Zimonjić in Madrid. This ended their ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title drought since August 2008. They equalled The Woodies' record of 61 doubles titles.
Seeded first at the 2010 French Open, the Bryans suffered their earliest exit at a Grand Slam since the 2001 US Open by losing to Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares in the second round. They did not compete in any of the warm-up tournaments before Wimbledon. At Wimbledon, however, defending champions Nestor and Zimonjic made an early exit,[8] creating the possibility for the Bryans to regain the No. 1 doubles teaming. They lost, however, to Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman in the quarter-finals.
To start their 2010 North American summer hardcourt swing, the Bryans won their 62nd career doubles title at their hometown tournament in Los Angeles, where they were the defending champions. They reached the final and became the first team in the Open Era to reach 100 doubles finals. The win surpassed the Woodies record of 61 wins as a team. Their next target is the all-time record of 79 set by Pam Shriver and Martina Navratilova.[9] They next participated in the 2010 Legg Mason Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C. (where they exited in the quarter-finals to Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi), where they also took part in the "Let's Move" campaign to battle child obesity and had the chance to meet President Barack Obama.
They continued their ATP World Tour Masters 1000 winning streak by capturing their 63rd title at the 2010 Rogers Cup in Toronto, adding to their titles in 2002 and 2006 and their 64th title at the 2010 Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati, adding to their titles 2003 and 2008. This ensured their return to the No. 1 spot in the team rankings. This also marked their wins in four consecutive Masters 1000 tournaments.
Their winning streak continued as they won the 2010 US Open, giving the Bryans a ninth major title, just two shy from the Woodies, by beating Bopanna and Qureshi in the final. As icing on the cake, on September 6, 2010, they have been ranked number one in doubles based on the ATP ranking system for 205 weeks, surpassing Todd Woodbridge's previous record of 204 weeks.
Playing in the 2010 China Open in Beijing to start their Asian hardcourt swing, their first tournament after their Flushing Meadows victory, they extended their winning streak to 18–0 with a victory in the final over Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski. It was noted that they won their tenth title of the season on October 10, 2010. After this successful title defense, their next tournament was the 2010 Shanghai Rolex Masters where their winning streak ended at 20 after losing to Jürgen Melzer and Leander Paes in the semi-finals. The Bryans then participated at the 2010 Davidoff Swiss Indoors where the clinched the year-end no.1 ranking by reaching the semi-finals. They ended up winning their 11th title of the year in their 11th final by beating defending champions Nestor and Zimonjic in the final. They capped up their season by losing to Mark Knowles and Andy Ram in the semi-finals of the 2010 BNP Paribas Masters in Paris and to Nestor and Zimonjic in the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Overall, the Bryans enjoyed one of their best seasons in which they won two Grand Slam titles and four consecutive Masters 1000 titles and did not lose a final.
The Bryans started 2011 by participating at the 2011 Medibank International Sydney where they reached the final. The pair lost to first-time pairing of Lukáš Dlouhý and Paul Hanley, marking their first final loss since March 2008 to a team other than Nestor/Zimonjic. They next traveled to Melbourne and successfully defended their 2011 Australian Open title, beating Indian duo Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes in the final. This was the Bryans' third straight title at the Australian Open (and their fifth overall), and their tenth Grand Slam title (just one shy from the Woodies).
They suffered early exits in Acapulco, Indian Wells and Miami but bounced back to win their 69th title in Houston. They followed this victory with their 70th title in Monte Carlo the week after. This was their 18th Masters 1000 title, tying them with Todd Woodbridge and six shy of all-time Masters 1000 leader Daniel Nestor. Their next tournament was the 2011 Barcelona Open Banco Sabadell, where they ended as runner-ups to first time pairing of Santiago Gonzalez and Scott Lipsky after missing four match points in a closely fought final. They then continued their clay court dominance by winning (and defending) their fourth Madrid Masters title beating Michael Llodra and Nenad Zimonjic in the final. It was the Bryan's 19th Masters title. Their next tournament was the Rome Masters, where they lost in the quarter-finals to compatriots Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick. They lost in the 2011 French Open semi-finals to first-time pairing of Juan Sebastian Cabal and Eduardo Schwank.
They bounced back quickly on the grass, clinching their fourth Queen's Club title, beating fellow Australian Open finalists Bhupathi/Paes in the final in a tough three-setter. They followed this up by winning Wimbledon on the July 2 defeating Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecău in straight sets. This was their second Wimbledon title and they tied The Woodies' record of 11 Grand Slam titles.
They failed to defend their title at the Rogers Cup although they reached the final and lost to Llodra and Zimonjic in three sets. Their next stop was at the Cincinnati where they again failed to defend their title by falling to Bhupathi/Paes in the semi-finals. Their late season struggles continued at the US Open, losing in the first round. This was their first first round exit since the 2001 Australian Open. At the 2011 China Open in Beijing they were, again, unable to defend their title as they were beaten in the semi-finals by Llodra and Zimonjic in three sets. Their Asian swing did not improve as they were stunned in the 2011 Shanghai Rolex Masters quarter-finals by Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski. The Bryans played their next tournament at the Erste Bank Open in Vienna (their first appearance there since 2002) where they re-gained some form by saving a match point in a tight first round before going on to reach the final where they defeated Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor in straight sets to claim their first Vienna title and their 7th title of the year (which was also their first title since Wimbledon). They then competed in the Valencia Open 500 event in the very next week and rode their momentum without dropping a set into their first final there against Eric Butorac and Jean-Julien Rojer. They went on to win the final in straight sets to earn their first Valencia title and 8th title of the season. However, they were unable to make it three titles in three weeks at the 2011 BNP Paribas Masters as they were upset in the second round by Julien Benneteau and Nicolas Mahut. The Bryans looked to finish their season in style at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals but succumbed in the semi-finals to Mirnyi and Nestor.
The Bryans started 2012 by participating at the 2012 Apia International Sydney where they reached the final. They went on to win the final by defeating wild cards Matthew Ebden and Jarkko Nieminen to claim their second title in Sydney and their 76th overall without dropping a set. The brothers then aimed to win their sixth Australian Open and reached their eighth final at the event after three consecutive three-setters which included saving a match point and overcoming a 2–5 deficit in the final set tie-break in an epic semi-final against Robert Lindstedt and Horia Tecău. However, the Bryans played Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek in the final and were upset in straight sets.
Their mother Kathy Bryan (née Blake) is a former women's circuit player. She is a 4-time participant at Wimbledon, and made the mixed doubles quarter-finals at the 1965 edition. She still teaches tennis. Their father, Wayne Bryan, is a lawyer, musician and tennis instructor. Both their parents are involved in various ATP Kids' Days and clinics on tour.
In their early days as junior players, they were forbidden to play each other in tournament play by their parents. If they were to play each other in a tournament, they would alternate defaulting to each other.[10]
The brothers graduated from Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard in 1996 and attended Stanford University (1996–98). In 1998, Bob became the first player since Alex O'Brien in 1992 to win college's 'Triple Crown' of NCAA singles, doubles (with Mike) and team titles. Both Bob and Mike are members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.[11]
The Bryans have a penchant for music, forming a band of their own, with Mike playing on the drums (and occasionally guitar), Bob on the keyboard, and father Wayne on the guitar.[12] Fellow tennis players and friends Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish and Jan-Michael Gambill often join in. The band has played at several special events, including the ATP Tour Smash Tennis event at New York's Central Park before the 1995 US Open. The Bryan brothers were featured on the Jan/Feb 2010 cover of Making Music Magazine.[13]
In December 2010, Bob married Florida attorney and long time family friend, Michelle Alvarez. They now reside in Sunny Isles Beach, FL.
The Bryan Brothers have recently developed a love of Segway personal transportation devices and even toured Washington D.C. in them during their time in the city for the 2011 Legg Mason Tennis Classic.[14]
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|
No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | February 26, 2001 | Memphis, USA (1) | Hard (i) | Alex O'Brien Jonathan Stark |
6–3, 7–6(7–3) |
2. | June 18, 2001 | London/Queen's Club, UK (1) | Grass | Eric Taino David Wheaton |
6–3, 3–6, 6–1 |
3. | July 16, 2001 | Newport, USA (1) | Grass | André Sá Glenn Weiner |
6–3, 7–5 |
4. | July 30, 2001 | Los Angeles, USA (1) | Hard | Jan-Michael Gambill Andy Roddick |
7–5, 7–6(8–6) |
5. | March 4, 2002 | Acapulco, Mexico (1) | Clay | Martin Damm David Rikl |
6–3, 3–6, 6–2 |
6. | March 11, 2002 | Scottsdale, USA (1) | Hard | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
7–5, 7–6(8–6) |
7. | July 15, 2002 | Newport, USA (2) | Grass | Jürgen Melzer Alexander Popp |
7–5, 6–3 |
8. | August 5, 2002 | Toronto, Canada (1) | Hard | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
4–6, 7–6(7–1), 6–3 |
9. | October 28, 2002 | Basel, Switzerland (1) | Carpet | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
7–6(7–1), 7–5 |
10. | April 28, 2003 | Barcelona, Spain (1) | Clay | Chris Haggard Robbie Koenig |
6–4, 6–3 |
11. | June 9, 2003 | French Open, Paris, France | Clay | Paul Haarhuis Yevgeny Kafelnikov |
7–6(7–3), 6–3 |
12. | June 23, 2003 | Nottingham, UK | Grass | Joshua Eagle Jared Palmer |
7–6(7–3), 4–6, 7–6(7–4) |
13. | August 18, 2003 | Cincinnati, USA (1) | Hard | Wayne Arthurs Paul Hanley |
7–5, 7–6(7–5) |
14. | November 15, 2003 | Tennis Masters Cup, Houston, USA (1) | Hard | Michaël Llodra Fabrice Santoro |
6–7(6–8), 6–3, 3–6, 7–6(7–3), 6–4 |
15. | January 12, 2004 | Adelaide, Australia | Hard | Arnaud Clément Michaël Llodra |
7–5, 6–3 |
16. | February 23, 2004 | Memphis, USA (2) | Hard (i) | Jeff Coetzee Chris Haggard |
6–3, 6–4 |
17. | March 8, 2004 | Acapulco, Mexico (2) | Clay | Juan Ignacio Chela Nicolás Massú |
6–2, 6–4 |
18. | June 14, 2004 | London/Queen's Club, UK (2) | Grass | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
6–4, 6–4 |
19. | July 19, 2004 | Los Angeles, USA (2) | Hard | Wayne Arthurs Paul Hanley |
6–3, 7–6(8–6) |
20. | November 1, 2004 | Basel, Switzerland (2) | Carpet | Lucas Arnold Ker Mariano Hood |
7–6(13–11), 6–2 |
21. | November 21, 2004 | Tennis Masters Cup, Houston, USA (2) | Hard | Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett |
4–6, 7–5, 6–4, 6–2 |
22. | February 28, 2005 | Scottsdale, USA (2) | Hard | Wayne Arthurs Paul Hanley |
7–5, 6–4 |
23. | June 13, 2005 | London/Queen's Club, UK (3) | Grass | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
7–6(13–11), 7–6(7–4) |
24. | August 8, 2005 | Washington, D.C., USA (1) | Hard | Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett |
6–4, 6–2 |
25. | September 12, 2005 | US Open, New York City, USA (1) | Hard | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
6–1, 6–4 |
26. | November 7, 2005 | Paris, France (1) | Carpet | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
6–4, 6–7(3–7), 6–4 |
27. | January 30, 2006 | Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia (1) | Hard | Martin Damm Leander Paes |
4–6, 6–3, 6–4 |
28. | March 6, 2006 | Las Vegas, USA (3) | Hard | Jaroslav Levinský Robert Lindstedt |
6–3, 6–2 |
29. | July 10, 2006 | Wimbledon, London, UK | Grass | Fabrice Santoro Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 4–6, 6–4, 6–2 |
30. | July 31, 2006 | Los Angeles, USA (3) | Hard | Eric Butorac Jamie Murray |
6–2, 6–4 |
31. | August 7, 2006 | Washington, D.C., USA (2) | Hard | Paul Hanley Kevin Ullyett |
6–3, 5–7, [10–3] |
32. | August 14, 2006 | Toronto, Canada (2) | Hard | Paul Hanley Kevin Ullyett |
6–3, 7–5 |
33. | October 23, 2006 | Madrid, Spain (1) | Hard (i) | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
7–5, 6–4 |
34. | January 29, 2007 | Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia (2) | Hard | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
7–5, 7–5 |
35. | March 5, 2007 | Las Vegas, USA (4) | Hard | Jonathan Erlich Andy Ram |
7–6(8–6), 6–2 |
36. | April 2, 2007 | Miami, USA (1) | Hard | Martin Damm Leander Paes |
6–7(7–9), 6–3, [10–7] |
37. | April 16, 2007 | Houston, USA (1) | Clay | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
7–6(7–3), 6–4 |
38. | April 23, 2007 | Monte Carlo, Monaco | Clay | Julien Benneteau Richard Gasquet |
6–2, 6–1 |
39. | May 21, 2007 | Hamburg, Germany | Clay | Paul Hanley Kevin Ullyett |
6–3, 6–4 |
40. | July 22, 2007 | Los Angeles, USA (4) | Hard | Scott Lipsky David Martin |
7–6(7–5), 6–2 |
41. | August 5, 2007 | Washington, D.C., USA (3) | Hard | Jonathan Erlich Andy Ram |
7–6(7–5), 3–6, [10–7] |
42. | October 21, 2007 | Madrid, Spain (2) | Hard (i) | Mariusz Fyrstenberg Marcin Matkowski |
6–3, 7–6(7–4) |
43. | October 28, 2007 | Basel, Switzerland (3) | Hard (i) | James Blake Mark Knowles |
6–1, 6–1 |
44. | November 4, 2007 | Paris, France (2) | Carpet | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 7–6(7–4) |
45. | April 5, 2008 | Miami, USA (2) | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi Mark Knowles |
6–2, 6–2 |
46. | May 4, 2008 | Barcelona, Spain (2) | Clay | Mariusz Fyrstenberg Marcin Matkowski |
6–3, 6–2 |
47. | May 11, 2008 | Rome, Italy | Clay | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
3–6, 6–4, [10–8] |
48. | August 3, 2008 | Cincinnati, USA (2) | Hard | Jonathan Erlich Andy Ram |
4–6, 7–6(7–2), [10–7] |
49. | September 5, 2008 | US Open, New York City, USA (2) | Hard | Lukáš Dlouhý Leander Paes |
7–6(7–5), 7–6(12–10) |
50. | January 17, 2009 | Sydney, Australia (1) | Hard | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–1, 7–6(7–3) |
51. | January 31, 2009 | Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia (3) | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi Mark Knowles |
2–6, 7–5, 6–0 |
52. | March 1, 2009 | Delray Beach, USA (1) | Hard | Marcelo Melo André Sá |
6–4, 6–4 |
53. | April 11, 2009 | Houston, USA (2) | Clay | Jesse Levine Ryan Sweeting |
6–1, 6–2 |
54. | August 2, 2009 | Los Angeles, USA (5) | Hard | Benjamin Becker Frank Moser |
6–4, 7–6(7–2) |
55. | October 11, 2009 | Beijing, China | Hard | Mark Knowles Andy Roddick |
6–4, 6–2 |
56. | November 29, 2009 | ATP World Tour Finals, London, UK (3) | Hard (i) | Max Mirnyi Andy Ram |
7–6(7–5), 6–3 |
57. | January 30, 2010 | Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia (4) | Hard | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 6–7(5–7), 6–3 |
58. | February 28, 2010 | Delray Beach, Florida, USA (2) | Hard | Philipp Marx Igor Zelenay |
6–3, 7–6(7–3) |
59. | April 10, 2010 | Houston, Texas, USA (3) | Clay | Stephen Huss Wesley Moodie |
6–3, 7–5 |
60. | May 2, 2010 | Rome, Italy (2) | Clay | John Isner Sam Querrey |
6–2, 6–3 |
61. | May 16, 2010 | Madrid, Spain (3) | Clay | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 6–4 |
62. | August 1, 2010 | Los Angeles, USA (6) | Hard | Eric Butorac Jean-Julien Rojer |
6–7(6–8), 6–2, [10–7] |
63. | August 15, 2010 | Toronto, Canada (3) | Hard | Julien Benneteau Michaël Llodra |
7–5, 6–3 |
64. | August 22, 2010 | Cincinnati, USA (3) | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi Max Mirnyi |
6–3, 6–4 |
65. | September 10, 2010 | US Open, New York City, USA (3) | Hard | Rohan Bopanna Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi |
7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–4) |
66. | October 10, 2010 | Beijing, China (2) | Hard | Mariusz Fyrstenberg Marcin Matkowski |
6–1, 7–6(7–5) |
67. | November 7, 2010 | Basel, Switzerland (4) | Hard (i) | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 3–6, [10–3] |
68. | January 29, 2011 | Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia (5) | Hard | Mahesh Bhupathi Leander Paes |
6–3, 6–4 |
69. | April 9, 2011 | Houston, USA (4) | Clay | John Isner Sam Querrey |
6–7(4–7), 6–2, [10–5] |
70. | April 17, 2011 | Monte Carlo, Monaco (2) | Clay | Juan Ignacio Chela Bruno Soares |
6–3, 6–2 |
71. | May 8, 2011 | Madrid, Spain (4) | Clay | Michaël Llodra Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 6–3 |
72. | June 13, 2011 | London/Queen's Club, UK (4) | Grass | Mahesh Bhupathi Leander Paes |
6–7(2–7), 7–6(7–4), [10–6] |
73. | July 2, 2011 | Wimbledon, London, UK (2) | Grass | Robert Lindstedt Horia Tecău |
6–3, 6–4, 7–6(7–2) |
74. | October 30, 2011 | Vienna, Austria | Hard (i) | Max Mirnyi Daniel Nestor |
7–6(12–10), 6–3 |
75. | November 6, 2011 | Valencia, Spain | Hard (i) | Eric Butorac Jean-Julien Rojer |
6–4, 7–6(11–9) |
76. | January 14, 2012 | Sydney, Australia (2) | Hard | Jarkko Nieminen Matthew Ebden |
6–1, 6–4 |
77. | April 22, 2012 | Monte Carlo, Monaco (3) | Clay | Max Mirnyi Daniel Nestor |
6–2, 6–3 |
78. | May 26, 2012 | Nice, France | Clay | Olivier Marach Filip Polášek |
7–6(7–5), 6–3 |
Note: Mike Bryan has won two more doubles titles than his brother Bob. In 2002, he won both of these two titles. One was alongside Mahesh Bhupathi in Long Island, US and one beside Mark Knowles in Nottingham, United Kingdom.
No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | April 16, 1999 | Orlando, USA | Clay | Jim Courier Todd Woodbridge |
7–6(7–4), 6–4 |
2. | August 20, 2001 | Washington, D.C., USA | Hard | Martin Damm David Prinosil |
7–6(7–5), 6–1 |
3. | January 7, 2002 | Adelaide, Australia | Hard | Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett |
7–5, 6–2 |
4. | February 25, 2002 | Memphis, USA | Hard (i) | Brian MacPhie Nenad Zimonjić |
6–3, 3–6, [10–4] |
5. | August 19, 2002 | Washington, D.C., USA | Hard | Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett |
7–6(7–4), 4–6, 6–3 |
6. | February 24, 2003 | Memphis, USA | Hard (i) | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
6–2, 7–6(7–3) |
7. | March 17, 2003 | Indian Wells, USA | Hard | Wayne Ferreira Yevgeny Kafelnikov |
6–1, 6–4 |
8. | September 8, 2003 | US Open, New York City, USA | Hard | Jonas Björkman Todd Woodbridge |
5–7, 6–0, 7–5 |
9. | January 19, 2004 | Sydney, Australia | Hard | Jonas Björkman Todd Woodbridge |
7–6(7–3), 7–5 |
10. | February 2, 2004 | Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia | Hard | Michaël Llodra Fabrice Santoro |
7–6(7–4), 6–3 |
11. | May 17, 2004 | Hamburg, Germany | Clay | Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett |
6–1, 6–2 |
12. | October 25, 2004 | Madrid, Spain | Hard (i) | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
6–3, 6–4 |
13. | January 31, 2005 | Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia | Hard | Wayne Black Kevin Ullyett |
6–4, 6–4 |
14. | February 21, 2005 | Memphis, USA | Hard (i) | Simon Aspelin Todd Perry |
6–4, 6–4 |
15. | April 18, 2005 | Monte Carlo, Monaco | Clay | Leander Paes Nenad Zimonjić |
W/O |
16. | May 9, 2005 | Rome, Italy | Clay | Michaël Llodra Fabrice Santoro |
7–5, 6–4 |
17. | June 6, 2005 | French Open, Paris, France | Clay | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
2–6, 6–1, 6–4 |
18. | July 4, 2005 | Wimbledon, London, UK | Grass | Stephen Huss Wesley Moodie |
7–6(7–4), 6–3, 6–7(2–7), 6–3 |
19. | March 20, 2006 | Indian Wells, USA | Hard | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
6–4, 6–4 |
20. | April 3, 2006 | Miami, USA | Hard | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
6–4, 6–4 |
21. | June 12, 2006 | French Open, Paris, France | Clay | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
6–7(5–7), 6–4, 7–5 |
22. | August 21, 2006 | Cincinnati, USA | Hard | Jonas Björkman Max Mirnyi |
7–6(7–5), 6–4 |
23. | May 14, 2007 | Rome, Italy | Clay | Fabrice Santoro Nenad Zimonjić |
4–6, 6–2, [10–7] |
24. | June 18, 2007 | London/Queen's Club, UK | Grass | Mark Knowles Daniel Nestor |
7–6(7–4), 7–5 |
25. | July 8, 2007 | Wimbledon, London, UK | Grass | Arnaud Clément Michaël Llodra |
6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–4, 6–4 |
26. | August 19, 2007 | Cincinnati, USA | Hard | Jonathan Erlich Andy Ram |
4–6, 6–3, [13–11] |
27. | January 12, 2008 | Sydney, Australia | Hard | Richard Gasquet Jo-Wilfried Tsonga |
4–6, 6–4, [11–9] |
28. | February 17, 2008 | Delray Beach, USA | Hard | Max Mirnyi Jamie Murray |
6–4, 3–6, [10–6] |
29. | February 24, 2008 | San Jose, USA | Hard | Scott Lipsky David Martin |
7–6(7–4), 7–5 |
30. | March 9, 2008 | Las Vegas, USA | Hard | Julien Benneteau Michaël Llodra |
6–4, 4–6, [10–8] |
31. | May 18, 2008 | Hamburg, Germany | Clay | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–4, 5–7, [10–8] |
32. | July 27, 2008 | Toronto, Canada | Hard | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–2, 4–6, [10–6] |
33. | November 16, 2008 | Tennis Masters Cup, Shanghai, China | Hard (i) | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
7–6(7–3), 6–2 |
34. | April 19, 2009 | Monte Carlo, Monaco | Clay | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–4, 6–1 |
35. | May 3, 2009 | Rome, Italy | Clay | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
7–6(7–5), 6–3 |
36. | July 4, 2009 | Wimbledon, London, UK | Grass | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
7–6(9–7), 6–7(3–7), 7–6(7–3), 6–3 |
37. | August 23, 2009 | Cincinnati, USA | Hard | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
3–6, 7–6(7–2), [15–13] |
38. | November 8, 2009 | Basel, Switzerland | Hard (i) | Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić |
6–2, 6–3 |
39. | January 15, 2011 | Sydney, Australia | Hard | Lukáš Dlouhý Paul Hanley |
6–7(6–8), 6–3, [10–5] |
40. | April 24, 2011 | Barcelona, Spain | Clay | Santiago González Scott Lipsky |
5–7, 6–2, [12–10] |
41. | August 14, 2011 | Montreal, USA | Hard | Michaël Llodra Nenad Zimonjić |
6–4, 6–7(5–7), [10–5] |
42. | January 28, 2012 | Australian Open, Melbourne, Australia | Hard | Leander Paes Radek Štěpánek |
6–7(1–7), 2–6 |
Current through the 2012 Mutua Madrid Open.
Tournament | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | DR | W–L | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grand Slams | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Australian Open | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | 1R | QF | 3R | F | F | W | W | QF | W | W | W | F | 5 / 13 | 51–8 | ||||
French Open | A | A | A | A | 2R | 2R | 2R | QF | W | SF | F | F | QF | QF | SF | 2R | SF | 1 / 13 | 41–12 | |||||
Wimbledon | A | A | A | A | 3R | 1R | SF | SF | QF | 3R | F | W | F | SF | F | QF | W | 2 / 13 | 48–11 | |||||
US Open | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | QF | 2R | SF | F | 3R | W | 3R | QF | W | SF | W | 1R | 3 / 17 | 42–14 | |||||
Win–Loss | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 3–3 | 4–4 | 6–4 | 14–4 | 14–3 | 13–4 | 21–3 | 18–2 | 17–3 | 16–3 | 19–3 | 16–2 | 16–2 | 5–1 | 11 / 56 | 182–45 | ||||
Olympics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Summer Olympics | NH | A | Not Held | A | Not Held | QF | Not Held | SF-B | Not Held | 0 / 2 | 6–2 | |||||||||||||
Tennis Masters Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tennis Masters Cup | A | A | A | A | A | A | RR | A | W | W | SF | RR | A | F | W | SF | SF | 3 / 9 | 25–13 | |||||
ATP World Tour Masters 1000 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Indian Wells | A | A | A | A | QF | 1R | 1R | QF | F | 2R | SF | F | 1R | QF | SF | 1R | 2R | QF | 0 / 14 | 23–13 | ||||
Miami | A | A | A | A | QF | 3R | QF | 3R | SF | SF | 1R | F | W | W | SF | QF | 2R | SF | 2 / 14 | 38–12 | ||||
Monte Carlo | A | A | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | QF | A | F | A | W | QF | F | QF | W | W | 3 / 9 | 19–5 | ||||
Rome | A | A | A | A | A | A | QF | 1R | 2R | SF | F | QF | F | W | F | W | QF | 2 / 11 | 23–9 | |||||
Madrid | A | A | A | A | A | A | 2R | SF | 1R | F | 1R | W | W | QF | 2R | W | W | 2R | 3 / 11 | 18–8 | ||||
Canada | A | A | A | A | A | A | 2R | W | SF | 2R | SF | W | SF | F | SF | W | F | 3 / 11 | 24–8 | |||||
Cincinnati | A | A | 1R | A | 1R | 1R | QF | QF | W | 2R | 2R | F | F | W | F | W | SF | 3 / 14 | 26–11 | |||||
Shanghai | Not Held | QF | SF | QF | 0 / 3 | 4–3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Paris | A | A | A | A | A | A | 1R | 2R | 1R | 1R | W | SF | W | 2R | QF | SF | 2R | 2 / 11 | 11–9 | |||||
Hamburg | A | A | A | A | A | A | 2R | 1R | SF | F | QF | SF | W | F | NMS | 1 / 8 | 16–7 | |||||||
Titles–Finals | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 4–5 | 5–8 | 5–8 | 7–11 | 5–11 | 7–11 | 11–15 | 5–12 | 7–12 | 11–11 | 8–11 | 2–3 | 77–119 | |||||
Win–Loss | 0–1 | 1–4 | 1–7 | 4–6 | 15–15 | 18–16 | 45–23 | 54–19 | 64–21 | 70–17 | 63–19 | 66–14 | 77–9 | 64–18 | 68–18 | 67–13 | 60–15 | 21–4 | 739–241 |
Awards | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor |
ITF World Champion (doubles) 2003–07 2009–11 |
Succeeded by Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor Incumbent |
Preceded by Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor |
ATP Doubles Team of the Year 2003 2004–07 2009–11 |
Succeeded by Mark Knowles & Daniel Nestor Nenad Zimonjić & Daniel Nestor Incumbent |
Preceded by New title |
ATP Fans' Favorite Doubles Team 2006–11 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
|
Persondata | |
---|---|
Name | Bryan, Bob And Mike |
Alternative names | |
Short description | Tennis players |
Date of birth | 1978 |
Place of birth | |
Date of death | |
Place of death |
Mr. Bob Backlund | |
---|---|
Ring name(s) | Bob Backlund Mr. Backlund |
Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1] |
Billed weight | 113 kg (250 lb)[1] |
Born | (1949-08-14) August 14, 1949 (age 62) Princeton, Minnesota |
Resides | Glastonbury, Connecticut |
Billed from | Princeton, Minnesota[1] |
Trained by | Eddie Sharkey |
Debut | 1973 |
Robert Lee "Bob" Backlund (born August 14, 1949)[2][3] is an American professional wrestler with an in-ring career that spanned over 30 years. Over that time, he was a two-time WWWF/WWF Champion. Backlund holds the records for the second longest reign as WWE Champion in history, behind Bruno Sammartino.
Backlund was also an accomplished amateur wrestler wrestling for the North Dakota State University Bison in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Backlund continues to work in the pro wrestling business in various capacities. In 2000, Backlund unsuccessfully ran for a Connecticut seat in Congress on a Republican ticket.
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In 1969 during his freshman year, Backlund was an All American in both football and wrestling (191 lbs finishing 3rd) while at Waldorf Junior College in Forest City, IA. During his sophomore campaign, Backlund focused on wrestling and once again earned All American Honors (190 lbs and National Runner Up). Backlund was an amateur wrestler at North Dakota State University, winning the Division II NCAA Championship at 190 pounds in 1971. In 1972 Backlund moved up to the Heavyweight class and finished 5th at the NCAA DII Nationals.[1] Graduate of Princeton, MN High School where he was a state finalist in wrestling. He graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in physical education.
Backlund was trained for professional wrestling by renowned trainer Eddie Sharkey and made his debut for the American Wrestling Association in 1973. Backlund's clean cut look and technical approach made him a natural face, and he quickly got over with the fans.[1] After leaving the AWA, Backlund traveled the United States, working for the National Wrestling Alliance in its various territories. In 1974, Backlund wrestled in Texas, for Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk's Amarillo promotion. In March, he defeated Terry Funk for the NWA Western States Heavyweight Championship (the promotion's top title). Backlund held it for two months, before losing it to Karl Von Steiger in May.[4]
In mid-1975, Backlund started working for Georgia Championship Wrestling. He teamed with Jerry Brisco to win the NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship from Toru Tanaka & Mr. Fuji in October 1975. They held the belts for two months before losing to Les Thornton and Tony Charles. In 1976, Backlund left Georgia for Championship Wrestling from Florida (NWA Florida). Here he teamed with Steve Keirn to defeat Bob Orton, Jr. and Bob Roop for the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship. Backlund and Keirn lost the title to The Hollywood Blonds (Buddy Roberts and Jerry Brown) in October 1976.[4] While working for NWA Florida, Backlund also wrestled in St. Louis, Missouri, for Sam Muchnick’s St. Louis Wrestling Club. Here he defeated Harley Race to win the NWA Missouri Heavyweight Championship on April 23, 1976. He lost the title to Jack Brisco on November 26.[4]
In early 1977, Backlund joined Vincent J. McMahon’s World Wide Wrestling Federation.[5] He was managed by “The Golden Boy” Arnold Skaaland. Less than 4 months into his WWWF run, Backlund received his first shot at the WWWF Championship, against "Superstar" Billy Graham. He lost by countout. Through 1977, Backlund received additional shots at the champion, and his fortunes started to change; the two went to a double countout in one match,[6] then Backlund defeated Graham, but by countout (the title can only change hands via pinfall or submission). [7] On February 20, 1978, at Madison Square Garden, Backlund finally scored a pinfall victory over Graham and won the title,[4] despite Graham’s leg being on the rope during the pinfall.[8]
He also challenged for the WWF World Tag Team Championship with Peter Maivia, but Maivia turned on and attacked him and Skaaland. This led the usually even-tempered Backlund to go berserk in the post-match interview, screaming to interviewer Vince McMahon that he was going to "kill that son of a bitch!".
Three days after winning the WWWF Title, Backlund clashed with the NWA World Heavyweight Champion Harley Race in a rare “WWWF vs. NWA” title match. Both titles were on the line, but neither changed hands as the two fought to a 60-minute time limit draw.[9] Defending against other champions became a recurring theme in Backlund’s run with the title. He faced the AWA World Heavyweight Champion (Nick Bockwinkel)[10] and two NWA World Heavyweight Champions (Harley Race four times and Ric Flair once)[11] in highly publicized matches. He engaged in a series of scientific matches against NWF World Champion Antonio Inoki. He defeated the Florida Champion Don Muraco.[12] In 1982, he battled "International Champion" Billy Robinson to a 63-minute curfew draw in Montreal.[13]
Backlund defended his WWF Title against many professional wrestling stars, including Pat Patterson, Ray Stevens, Greg Valentine, Don Muraco, Billy Graham, Hulk Hogan, Jesse Ventura, Adrian Adonis, Sgt. Slaughter, Dusty Rhodes, The Iron Shiek, Nikolai Volkoff, Victor Rivera, Spiros Arion, Larry Zbyszko, Jimmy Snuka, Mr. Fuji, Mr. Saito, Professor Toru Tanaka, The Masked Superstar, Swede Hanson, Ivan Koloff, Stan Stasiak, Ken Patera, Antonio Inoki, Bobby Duncam, John Studd, Johnny Rodz, Blackjack Mulligan, Charlie Fulton, Iron Mike Sharpe, Killer Khan, Afa, Sika, Johnny Valiant, Jimmy Valiant, Jerry Valiant, The Moondogs, Ric Flair, Harley Race, Nick Bockwinkel, Stan Hansen, Rick Martel, Rene Goulet, Crusher Blackwell, Gorilla Monsoon, Lou Albano, Lord Alfred Hayes, Bob Orton Jr., Buddy Rose, Baron Mikel Scicluna, Baron Von Raschke, Jimmy Garvin, Ron Bass, Tony Atlas, Kevin Sullivan, Dick Murdoch, Peter Maivia, Ernie Ladd, Bulldog Bob Brower, Raymond Rougeau, King Curtis, Killer Kowalski, George Steele, and The Shiek.[citation needed]
On August 9, 1980, Backlund teamed with Pedro Morales to capture the WWF World Tag Team Championship from The Wild Samoans at Showdown at Shea. Backlund and Morales were forced to vacate the title due to a then-extant WWF rule stating that no one can hold two championships at the same time.[14] Backlund had more tag team success when he (along with Antonio Inoki) won the "1980 MSG Tag Team League Tournament", last defeating Hulk Hogan and Stan Hansen on December 10 in Osaka, Japan. Backlund and Inoki finished the tournament with seven wins and two double-countout decisions.
It is claimed by some[who?] that when Backlund’s WWF Title was held up after a match in New York City against Greg Valentine on October 19, 1981, after a dazed referee "accidentally" gave the title belt to Valentine (storyline),[15] it constituted an interruption of Backlund’s title reign. However, Backlund was billed as the WWF Champion in other cities in the days following the controversy.[16] In the early part of the 1980s, when no promotion held nationally televised events, it was not uncommon practice to “hold up” the title in one area (to build interest in a rematch the "former" champion would win) while ignoring the situation in other parts of the territory. On November 23, Backlund pinned Valentine for the "Vacant in New York Only" WWF title.[17]
After having been popular with the fans from early on, in the final months of his title reign fans had seemingly grown weary of "Howdy Doody" (as The Grand Wizard had dubbed Backlund). In 1983, he was voted The Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Most Overrated Wrestler. Vincent K. McMahon (who had bought the WWF from his father), wanted to put the title on the more charismatic and muscular Hulk Hogan. McMahon initially suggested Backlund turn heel and lose to Hogan but, when Backlund refused, a transitional champion became necessary between Backlund and Hogan. On December 26, 1983, Backlund (recently "injured" in a TV angle in which The Iron Sheik assaulted him with his Persian clubs) lost the title to The Iron Sheik. Backlund's manager, Arnold Skaaland, threw in the towel while Backlund was locked in the Camel Clutch.[4] Because Backlund was declared "injured", he was denied an automatic rematch. Instead, Hulk Hogan was given a title shot, and became the new WWF Champion.[18] Backlund continued to work for the WWF for a while after the title change, but did not receive another shot at the belt. On August 4, 1984, Backlund defeated Salvatore Bellomo in his last WWF match for 8 years.[19]
After leaving the WWF, Backlund had a run in the short-lived Pro Wrestling USA, a joint promotion of the NWA and the American Wrestling Association (AWA), meant to combat the national expansion of the WWF. In Pro Wrestling USA, Backlund unsuccessfully challenged AWA Champion Rick Martel. He soon dropped out of the pro wrestling scene. He made a surprise return in 1991 for Herb Abrams' short-lived UWF. At "Beach Brawl" (the UWF’s only pay-per-view event), he defeated Ivan Koloff.[20] Backlund also wrestled for Newborn UWF and UWF International in Japan, in a series of matches with Nobuhiko Takada.
In 1992, Backlund returned to the WWF.[21] During his absence, the WWF had expanded into an international wrestling promotion, due in part to the colorful characters of the "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection Era", which Hulk Hogan helped to kickstart eight years prior. Backlund, whose persona remained the same as it was in his heyday, seemed to be out of step with the evolution of the WWF. Many fans did not remember him, as he had left just prior to Vince McMahon's national expansion. His initial period in the WWF was largely uneventful and he mainly wrestled mid-card matches. However, at the 1993 Royal Rumble, he lasted sixty-one minutes and ten seconds,[22] a duration record that would not be broken until 2004 (by Chris Benoit). Backlund's first appearance at a WrestleMania event (WrestleMania IX) was a losing effort in a match with Razor Ramon.[23]
On the July 28, 1994 episode of Superstars, Backlund wrestled what was billed as an "Old Generation vs. New Generation" match with Bret Hart, with Hart's WWF Championship on the line. Over the preceding weeks, the WWF aired vignettes of Backlund training for this match. Hart won the match, capitalizing after Backlund mistakenly believed he had won and helped Hart to his feet. Backlund "snapped" after Hart repeatedly tried to offer a sportsmanlike handshake following the match. He slapped Hart in the face and locked him in the crossface chickenwing submission hold, while screaming hysterically. After finally releasing the hold, Backlund stared at his hands in apparent shock. Backlund then started to regularly "snap" in similar fashion during his matches, viciously attacking his opponent with the crossface chickenwing and refusing to release it after the opponent submitted. He would then seemingly snap back to normal and appear horrified by what he had done.[1]
On an episode of Monday Night Raw shortly after his match with Hart, Backlund claimed that he should still be considered the legitimate WWF Champion, as he had not been pinned by The Iron Sheik, nor submitted to the camel clutch. Backlund continued wrestling under the new gimmick of an out of touch and highly volatile eccentric, out to teach "The New Generation" a lesson.[1] He dressed in business suits, had a hyperactive personality and used (and often misused) large words to try to sound superiorly intelligent. He demanded that he be addressed as Mr. Backlund. He would only sign autographs for wrestling fans if they could recite the names of all of the U.S. Presidents in chronological order. On several instances, he assaulted wrestlers and other WWF employees and placed them in the crossface chickenwing. These victims include Jim Ross, Duke "The Dumpster" Droese, WWF Magazine writer Lou Gianfriddo, and his former manager Arnold Skaaland, who he blamed for costing him the WWF Title in 1983.
On November 23, 1994, at the Survivor Series pay-per-view in San Antonio, Texas, Backlund faced Bret Hart in a "Throw in the Towel" submission match for the WWF Championship. Bret's brother Owen Hart in Backlund's corner (carrying what Backlund claimed to be the same towel Skaaland threw into the ring in 1983) and Davey Boy Smith in Hart's. The object of the match was to place the opponent in a submission hold and make his cornerman throw in the towel. Late in the match, Smith chased Owen (who had interfered behind the referee's back to break a submission), but missed him and hit the ringside stairs head first. When Bret turned around to argue with his brother, Backlund took advantage and locked the crossface chickenwing on the champion. Hart fought the hold for an unprecedented eight-and-a-half minutes, but refused to give up. With Bulldog incapacitated, Owen, feigning concern for his brother, walked over to his parents (Stu and Helen) seated at ringside and pleaded with them to throw the towel in to save Bret from injury. He handed the towel to his mother. After several minutes (during which Stu Hart argued with Helen against Owen's plea, and ripped the towel from her hands), Helen Hart threw in the towel, giving the 35-minute match and the WWF Championship to Backlund.[1][4]
Backlund's second reign as WWF Champion was a short one. He lost the title three days later to Diesel at an untelevised show in Madison Square Garden,[4] the site of many of Backlund's victories in the 1970s and 1980s. This match is the shortest WWF Title match ever. Diesel kicked Backlund in the stomach, hit him with a Jackknife Powerbomb and pinned him in eight seconds.[1] For weeks afterwards, fans jeered Backlund with chants of "Eight seconds! Eight seconds!" In a 2005 interview for the Pro Wrestling Torch, Kevin Nash (AKA Diesel) recalled how Backlund sold his Jackknife Powerbomb by crawling up the aisleway, back to the dressing room area of the Garden. Nash said, "He couldn't have put me over any stronger." This match was the last time the WWF Championship changed hands at a non-televised event.
After the title loss, Backlund wrestled progressively less often, never again reaching main event status. One of his final WWF matches was an "I Quit" match against Bret Hart at WrestleMania XI on April 2, 1995. He lost, though he never actually said "I quit", instead screaming unintelligibly into the microphone, which special guest referee Roddy Piper seemed to interpret as "I quit."[24]
Following WrestleMania, the WWF ran an angle in which Backlund declared his candidacy for President of the United States. Several vignettes aired, featuring Backlund preaching socially conservative values. One showed him campaigning at a beach. This angle was quietly dropped before it reached a conclusion.
From late 1996 to early 1997, Backlund joined forces with his old nemesis, The Iron Sheik, to manage The Sultan in the WWF.[1]
He returned to the WWF in the 2000 Royal Rumble. After that, he briefly managed Intercontinental and European Champion Kurt Angle. He taught his crossface chickenwing submission hold to Angle. Later on, Angle fired Backlund and locked him in that move, after discovering Backlund had booked him in a two-fall Triple Threat match against Chris Benoit and Chris Jericho (with both of his titles on the line) at WrestleMania 2000.[1]
After many references to Bob Backlund were made by Kevin Nash, he officially debuted in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling in January 2007, at the Final Resolution pay-per-view, judging the finals of the Paparazzi Championship Series (PCS) between Alex Shelley and Austin Starr. Given the tie breaking vote, Backlund launched a long explanation before declaring his decision a draw, and the match was restarted by PCS director Kevin Nash. After Shelley won the match, Starr pie-faced Backlund because he believed Backlund had cost him the match. Backlund responded by putting Starr in the crossface chickenwing.[25]
Backlund then began to make regular appearances on TNA Impact! During this time, he was described as crazy and weird by announcers Don West and Mike Tenay, somewhat similar to the "Mr. Backlund" gimmick of his second WWF tenure.
Backlund made his in-ring return at Slammiversary, defeating Alex Shelley. He then teamed with Jerry Lynn to lose to Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin (managed by Kevin Nash) at Victory Road. When TNA redesigned their website, Backlund's profile was removed, signaling the end of his run with the company.
On the 15th Anniversary episode of Raw on December 10, 2007, Backlund participated in the "15th Anniversary battle royal", along with 14 other wrestlers from Raw's 15 year history. Backlund was eliminated from the match by Skinner.[citation needed]
Backlund was a guest on MTV's Singled Out, where he acted in sketches with hosts Jenny McCarthy and Chris Hardwick. The work caught the eye[citation needed] of director Keven Undergaro and producer Maria Menounos. He was subsequently cast to play the role of "Friar Chuck", alongside Menounos and John Waters, in the feature film comedy In the Land of Merry Misfits. The film played at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival, where Backlund appeared and signed autographs.
Backlund and his wife, Corki (a high school physical education teacher) have a daughter named Carrie. They live in Glastonbury, Connecticut.[26]
Backlund unsuccessfully ran (as a Republican) for a Connecticut seat in Congress in 2000. He later operated a bail bond company in Connecticut.[1]
1 ^ WWE only recognizes two of Backlund's reigns.
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Persondata | |
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Name | Backlund, Bob |
Alternative names | Backlund, Robert Lee; Backlund, Mr. |
Short description | professional wrestler and actor |
Date of birth | August 14, 1949 |
Place of birth | Princeton, Minnesota |
Date of death | |
Place of death |
Robert Charles "Bob" Bryan (born April 29, 1978) is an American male professional tennis player. With his twin brother Mike, he has spent over 200 weeks as a World No. 1 doubles player. He has won eighteen Grand Slam titles, 11 in men's doubles and seven in mixed doubles. He turned professional in 1998. The Bryan brothers were named ATP Team of the Decade for 2000–2009.
He finished the year as the number one ranked singles player in the nation in 1998 after winning the clay court nationals and reaching the finals of Kalamazoo. The brothers were back to back Kalamazoo doubles champions in 1995 and 1996 and won the US Open Junior doubles title in 1996.
He played for Stanford University in 1997 and 1998, where he helped the Cardinal win back-to-back NCAA team championships. In 1998, he won the "Triple Crown" by taking the NCAA singles, doubles (with his twin brother Mike), and team titles. He was the first man to accomplish this since Stanford's Alex O'Brien did it in 1992.[citation needed]
Both brothers started their professional careers playing World TeamTennis for teams like the Idaho Sneakers through the current season for the Kansas City Explorers.