It’s been a rough U.S. Open for American men with none reaching the quarterfinals. But the Bryan twins provided the highlight yesterday with 34-year-old Californians Bob and Mike winning their 12th major championship to tie the all-time men’s doubles record.
The Bryans arrived in Flushing Meadows as Olympic gold medal winners, and left Arthur Ashe Stadium having beaten Leander Paes and Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-4 to avenge their loss in the Australian Open and match John Newcombe and Tony Roche for the all-time doubles record.
“[The gold] did take pressure off. We talked about it before each match. We’re like, ‘Let’s swing free, we have the gold,’ ’’ Mike Bryan said. “We came into this probably a little fatigued and just running on adrenaline from the Olympics. We could see the finish line. This final match, that’s what we pushed toward.’’
They chest bumped at the end of the match, with new father Bob Bryan tossing his Olympic gold medal to a friend in the stands.
“That was my buddy from Miami. He has good hands. If he wasn’t an athlete, I wouldn’t have thrown it to him, but he’s a coordinated guy. I knew he’d catch it,’’ said Bob Bryan, who has been toting the medal with him and claims it’s good luck.
Bob Bryan — who brought his infant daughter to the post-match interview — carried the gold medal with him to the Cincinnati WTA and ATP Masters events, and even took some credit for Sergio Garcia ending a four-year win drought to grab a spot in the Ryder Cup later this month.
“I actually let Sergio Garcia wear it in Cincinnati. Then he went win, third, and he made $1.5 million in two weeks. So I think it’s good luck,’’ Bob Bryan said.
It clearly brought the Bryans good fortune again in Flushing Meadows. They have now won all of the four Slams at least once, and their fourth U.S. Open championship ties them for most titles with Stan Smith and Bob Lutz.
“Yeah, I mean when we’re done playing I think they’re going to be fun to have. When you’re in the heat of the moment you don’t want to think about that stuff. We’re just trying to win the Grand Slam, you know. And now that we could chill a little bit, it’s fun to have it,’’ Mike Bryan said. “To have a huge record like the Grand Slam record is really cool.’’