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."

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden, the reigning Australian Open men's doubles champions, have announced their split after two successful years as a team. The duo, who first joined forces in January 2023, ended their partnership with a victory over Germany's Kevin Krawietz and Tim Puetz in their final group match of the ATP Finals 2024.During their partnership, Bopanna and Ebden achieved remarkable success, capturing three major titles: the Australian Open grand slam in 2023, the ATP Masters 1000 titles at Indian Wells 2023, and the Miami Open 2024. They also triumphed at the Qatar Open in 2023 and reached the final of the US Open in the same year. Their impressive performances propelled them to the top of the doubles rankings following their Australian Open triumph.Reflecting on their partnership, Ebden expressed gratitude for their accomplishments. "To finish on a win and at least get one win here at the ATP Finals, I think was fitting or deserving maybe. It was really nice to share one more big moment," he said.Ebden revealed that the duo had initially planned to part ways last year but decided to continue their partnership for the 2024 season. He praised Bopanna's dedication and commitment, particularly at the age of 44.Bopanna, for his part, will reunite with his former Croatian partner, Ivan Dodig, for the 2025 tennis season. Dodig, who is 39 years old, has also enjoyed a successful doubles career, winning multiple grand slam titles.The split between Bopanna and Ebden marks the end of a successful partnership that brought them numerous accolades and memorable moments. Both players have expressed their gratitude for their time together and wish each other well in their future endeavors.

Hsieh Su-Wei, the enigmatic Taiwanese tennis star, has carved a unique niche in the world of doubles with her unconventional style and unparalleled creativity. Unlike most doubles players who rely on straightforward execution, Hsieh embraces a kaleidoscope of shots, from half-volley lobs to blistering backhands, keeping her opponents guessing at every turn.Her unorthodox approach has earned her immense success, with 35 WTA Tour titles, including seven majors. Ranked No. 1 in doubles in 2014, she currently holds the No. 6 spot. This year, at age 38, she added two mixed doubles majors to her impressive resume.Hsieh's brilliance lies in her exceptional court vision and ability to manipulate the ball's pace and trajectory. She sees angles and opportunities that others miss, creating "geometric opportunities" that leave her opponents bewildered. Her calm demeanor and patience allow her to wait for the perfect moment to strike, giving her a wide range of options.Experts attribute Hsieh's unique style to a combination of natural talent and a willingness to experiment. While some may argue that her skills cannot be taught, others believe that imagination and creativity can be nurtured through practice.Hsieh's unconventional approach has earned her a cult following among tennis enthusiasts. She transcends the boundaries of traditional doubles play, showcasing the limitless possibilities of the sport. Her ability to erode opponents' minds with her unpredictable shots has made her one of the most formidable and entertaining players on the court.

Rohan Bopanna, India's premier doubles player, has secured a spot in the prestigious season-ending ATP Finals alongside his Australian partner Matthew Ebden. This marks Bopanna's fourth appearance in the tournament, a testament to his exceptional skills and longevity in the sport.The Indo-Aussie duo clinched their place after Nathaniel Lammons and Jackson Withrow were eliminated at the Rolex Paris Masters, finalizing the 2024 field. Joining Bopanna and Ebden in Turin's elite line-up are Wesley Koolhof/Nikola Mektic, Kevin Krawietz/Tim Puetz, Harri Heliovaara/Henry Patten, Marcelo Arevalo/Mate Pavic, Marcel Granollers/Horacio Zeballos, Simone Bolelli/Andrea Vavassori, and Max Purcell/Jordan Thompson.The ATP Finals, scheduled for November 10-17 at the Inalpi Arena, feature only the top eight doubles teams globally. Bopanna and Ebden have had a remarkable season, starting with a triumph at the Australian Open, where Bopanna became the oldest man at 43 years, 331 days to become a world No. 1. They also won the Miami Open and reached the final in Adelaide and the semi-finals at Roland Garros.This is the second consecutive year that Bopanna and Ebden have qualified for the ATP Finals. In 2023, they reached the semi-finals in Turin before being defeated by Granollers and Zeballos. For Bopanna, this event holds special significance as he aims to capture his maiden ATP Finals title. He previously finished as the finalist in 2012 with Mahesh Bhupathi and again in 2015 alongside Florin Mergea.Bopanna's ATP Finals journey began in 2011 with Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi. His experience and determination will be crucial as he and Ebden strive to make a deep run in Turin and challenge for the coveted title.

The Bryan Brothers: Olympic Gold, Medal Shenanigans, and the Future of DoublesTennis legends Bob and Mike Bryan, known for their unparalleled doubles success, recently joined Andy Roddick's podcast, "Served," for a hilarious and insightful episode.The brothers shared a memorable anecdote from the 2012 London Olympics, where they won their first gold medal. Bob recalled the intense pressure they felt at 34 years old, describing it as a "sense of urgency." The victory was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and the moment was filled with shock and disbelief.However, it wasn't until weeks later that the full weight of their achievement hit them. Bob carried his medal around in his bag for six months, using it as a "chick magnet" at bars. Mike, on the other hand, kept his medal pristine at home, shining it and displaying it prominently.Inspired by his brother's pristine medal, Bob devised a plan. He visited Mike's house in California and swapped his scuffed medal for Mike's mint-condition one. Mike was furious when he discovered the switch-a-roo, but Bob insisted he wanted a "fresh" medal.The brothers also discussed their concerns about the future of doubles in tennis. Bob expressed worry that the streamlining of tournaments could lead to a reduction in doubles events. He emphasized the importance of doubles appreciation and vowed to continue advocating for its prominence.Bob is also involved in Davis Cup as the U.S. captain, while Mike jokingly referred to himself as the "assistant massage therapist." The brothers plan to attend Wimbledon this summer, continuing their mission to spread the gospel of doubles.