Bryan brothers eye golden Olympics swansong in Rio
LONDON: When Mike Bryan’s cellphone rang recently and the policeman on the other end of the line told him his home security alarm had gone off one thought flashed up in his head -- is my Olympic gold medal safe?
The golden medallion, the one he earned with twin brother Bob at London 2012, is his most prized souvenir from a trophyladen career that has earned the 38-year-olds 112 titles together, including 16 grand slams.
“We thought someone had broken in, the cops went over and I just said ‘dude, please just check that one spot’ just make sure it’s there. It was there,’” the right-handed half of the most successful doubles team in men’s tennis history, told Reuters at Wimbledon, scene of their Olympic glory.
“It’s the only thing I hide when we leave for a trip.”
No wonder. Bob describes their victory in London as their “greatest moment” while Mike says missing out in Athens, when they were expected to medal, ranked as a low. They won a bronze in Beijing. Rio, where they will play with gold-painted rackets, will be Olympics number four -- and the last.
Retirement is looming and they want to sign off in style, perhaps with a golden chest bump.