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Band of brothers: meet the Bryan twins—a pair of aces looking to get their serve on in Wimbledon

Men's Fitness, June-July, 2006 by Nate Millado

THE BRYAN BROTHERS aren't just the world's top doubles-tennis team. They're also huge rock stars. Well, in Shanghai, at least. The ersatz musicians played a pair of concerts there during the Tennis Masters Cup in 2005 and were welcomed by thousands of fans.

"The music wasn't that good, but they acted like we were the Stones" recalls Mike Bryan. Luckily, Mike serves better than he sings. He and brother Bob finished No. 1 in the year's overall doubles race. It was the team's second top finish in the past three years.

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Certainly, their high ranking plants a bull's-eye on their backs heading into this summer's Wimbledon tournament. "All the teams are gunning for you," Bob says. "But we've done a lot to get to where we are. Being twins and growing up together kind of gives us an advantage over most teams."

The Bryan twins were born 28 years ago (Mike is two minutes older, but at 6'4", Bob's one inch taller). "Our parents put rackets in our hands when we were two years old;' says Mike. "And tennis is kind of in our blood," Bob adds. "Our mom was a pro; she's played in Wimbledon four times."

The Bryans reached the Wimbledon final last year but fell short. Now they're ready to return for a shot at another Grand Slam crown. "Winning the U.S. Open was important for us" they say. "Coming from the States, we wanted to represent our country. But Wimbledon's got great tradition. People who don't know tennis know the word Wimbledon."

X ON Y

Guys on Why

Tennis twins BOB AND MIKE BRYAN on why ...

TENNIS PLAYERS DON'T GET JACKED

BOB: You want to have some flexibility in your arms, a lot of mobility in your shoulders. When we lift, we do high reps and low weight on the upper body and focus a lot on the core, because that's where you do all your twisting and get your power from.

THEY PLAY DOUBLES INSTEAD OF SINGLES

MIKE: We got more satisfaction playing doubles because we get to share our victory together. It's certainly easier to play with your twin brother when things are going well, and harder when it's not, because we won't hold back.

BOB: Mike and I would just let loose and tell each other off. But at the same time, we get over it; we don't hold grudges.

GIRLFRIENDS OFTEN NIX THEM UP

BOB: No one can tell us apart from the back. One time, Mike's girlfriend came up from behind and started hugging me. I didn't really realize what was happening, but it felt kind of nice. Then she started going in for the kiss, so I had to stop her.

Band of brothers: meet the Bryan twins—a pair of aces looking to get their serve on in Wimbledon

Men's Fitness, June-July, 2006 by Nate Millado

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