Tennis

At 46 years old, Bob Bryan may not relish the thought of playing Rafael Nadal this week at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga, Spain. But he hopes to coach against him, a scenario that would mean the U.S. captain's team would be in the final."It's a great swan song," Bryan said. "In a packed house and maybe playing with [Carlos] Alcaraz again."Nadal and Alcaraz are expected to reunite in doubles after their first go-around in the Summer Olympics at Roland Garros. The Spaniards won two matches before falling to Team USA's Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram."They were getting better and better in Paris," Bryan recalls. "I know Nadal was trying to teach Carlitos how to really play doubles. Maybe if they got past our guys in the quarters, they might have won the gold."Nadal's accomplishments in singles are legendary, but he's also had a doubles career that all but a few players would trade theirs for. He's won 11 titles on tour, including three Masters 1000s. Nadal also teamed with Marc Lopez to win Olympic doubles gold at the 2016 Rio Games.He also has a win over the greatest doubles team ever, the Bryan Brothers. That came in Nadal's last match against Bob and Mike in the 2016 Beijing semis.But the Bryans won all six of their prior meetings with Rafa."Luckily for us, he played with all Spanish guys," Bob says. "So there were some guys that we can pick on that weren't as confident at the net."Even so, Nadal's acumen on the doubles court made up for what he may have been conceding with his choice of partner."He's really active," Bryan says of Nadal the doubles player. "He's always moving up there which makes for, you know, a good doubles partner. He's close to the net, so it's hard to find the geometry a lot of the times. It's a guy that's gonna be a tough out for you every time."Given Nadal's propensity to play with his compatriots, it's fitting that he'll likely leave the game alongside a partner clad in Spain's red and yellow. And should they see red, white and blue across the next, Bryan and the Americans won't take the 38-year-old lightly."Rafa's the ultimate competitor, doesn't matter what event it is, singles, doubles, mixed," Bryan says. "He's gonna come at you, you know, he's gonna be doing those kangaroo hops at the net. He's gonna be sprinting back to the baseline in the warm-up."Always a tough out, never easy."

The Davis Cup Finals and Billie Jean King Cup Finals are set to take place in Malaga, Spain, with the United States fielding strong teams in both competitions.Bob Bryan, captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team, believes his squad has a legitimate chance to win the title. With three Top 25 singles players (Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Ben Shelton) and the Olympic silver medalists in doubles (Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram), the Americans have a formidable lineup. However, they face a tough first-round opponent in Australia, who boasts Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, and Matthew Ebden.Lindsay Davenport, captain of the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team, is also optimistic about her team's chances. While they will be without some top players like Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, they have a solid lineup that includes Danielle Collins, Peyton Stearns, and Ashlyn Krueger. They will open their campaign against Slovakia in the round of 16.Both Bryan and Davenport acknowledge the challenges of playing in a neutral venue without the home-court advantage. However, they believe their teams have the depth and experience to overcome these obstacles.Bryan praised the current generation of American tennis players, highlighting their depth and versatility. He also expressed gratitude to the players who helped the U.S. qualify for the Finals, including Sebastian Korda, Chris Eubanks, Brandon Nakashima, Mackenzie McDonald, and Reilly Opelka.Davenport emphasized the importance of team chemistry and the contributions of all players, regardless of whether they are on the court. She also praised Stearns, a rising star who has shown great potential in her first full year on the WTA Tour.If either U.S. team can make a deep run in the Finals, it will be a testament to the strength and depth of American tennis.

Maria Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam singles champion, and the legendary doubles duo of Bob and Mike Bryan are among the nominees for the International Tennis Hall of Fame Class of 2025.Sharapova, a former world No. 1, achieved a Career Grand Slam in singles, becoming the first Russian woman to top the WTA rankings. Her illustrious career includes 36 titles, including her first major triumph at Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 17.The Bryan brothers, also former world No. 1s, have an unparalleled record in doubles. Together, they won 16 Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal in 2012. Their 39 ATP Masters 1000 crowns and Career Golden Masters, where they won all nine active 1000-level tournaments, are testament to their dominance.Daniel Nestor, a 12-time major title holder, returns to the ballot for his third and final year of eligibility. He seeks to join his former rivals, the Bryans, in the Hall of Fame.Fan voting is now open, with 75% of the combined total required for election. The Class of 2025 will be announced in October.

Olympic Tennis: Team USA Prepares for Paris Games on ClayAs the Wimbledon Championships conclude, attention shifts to the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, where tennis will be played on clay at Roland Garros. Team USA is preparing for the challenge, led by singles players Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul.Bob Bryan, the men's Olympic tennis coach and Davis Cup captain, discussed the team's goals and expectations. "We're focused on getting the guys ready to do their best and try to win a medal," Bryan said. "It's challenging, but our guys are dangerous on anything."Bryan emphasized the importance of embracing the Olympic experience. "I would say enjoy it, soak it up," he advised the players. "Take the blinders off and meet all the other athletes. Hear their stories and do the pin trading."Despite the absence of Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, Bryan expressed support for their decisions. "Everyone's got their personal journey and individual goals for the season," he said. "I understand where they are coming from."Bryan shared memorable experiences from his own Olympic career, including meeting Kobe Bryant and LeBron James in Beijing. "Just being around such greatness was inspiring," he said. "Winning the gold in London was the pinnacle of our career."The team's preparation includes a decision on whether to stay in the Olympic village or a hotel. "We have an option to stay at a nice hotel, but some of the older players might prefer better sleep," Bryan said. "We'll see who decides to participate in the opening ceremonies."Bryan expressed excitement for the upcoming Games. "There's nothing like the Olympic energy," he said. "I believe in our guys and think we have some great chances to win some hardware for the U.S."

U.S. Tennis Announces Coaching Staff for Paris Olympics and ParalympicsThe United States Tennis Association (USTA) has appointed Kathy Rinaldi and Bob Bryan as coaches for the U.S. tennis teams at the upcoming Paris Olympics. Rinaldi, a former Billie Jean King Cup captain, will lead the women's team, while Bryan, a two-time Olympic medalist, will coach the men's team.Rinaldi, who also served as Team USA's coach at the Tokyo Olympics, brings a wealth of experience to the role. During her seven-year tenure as Billie Jean King Cup captain, she guided the team to victory in 2017. Bryan, on the other hand, will make his Olympic coaching debut. He and his twin brother, Mike, won a gold medal in doubles at the 2012 London Games and a bronze in Beijing four years earlier.For the Paralympics, Jon Rydberg and John Devorss will coach the U.S. teams. Rydberg, a four-time Paralympian, has extensive experience in wheelchair tennis. Devorss, who has coached the U.S. World Team Cup team, brings a strong track record in adaptive sports.The U.S. tennis players for the Olympics and Paralympics will be named at a later date. For the Olympics, the selections will be based on the WTA and ATP rankings on June 10, the day after the French Open concludes. Tennis for both the Olympics and Paralympics will be played at Roland Garros, the site of the year's second Grand Slam tournament. The Olympics will take place from July 26 to August 11, while the Paralympics will be held from August 28 to September 8.The USTA's decision to appoint experienced and accomplished coaches reflects its commitment to fielding competitive teams at the Paris Games. Rinaldi, Bryan, Rydberg, and Devorss will provide valuable guidance and support to the U.S. athletes as they strive for Olympic and Paralympic glory.