Bryans Shooting For 100 Team Titles

© Getty ImagesBob and Mike Bryan look to continue playing through 2016.

There’s an old superstition that deems the number 13 to be unlucky. But for Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan, it is anything but inauspicious.

On Saturday, the Bryans captured an all-time record 13th major team title when they defeated Dutchmen Robin Haase and Igor Sijsling, etching their names in the tennis history books once more. After completing a career ‘Golden Slam’ last year at the London 2012 Olympics, becoming the most successful team in Grand Slam history was next on the dynamic duo’s radar.

Now that they’ve broken the mark set by John Newcombe and Tony Roche, the American twins want to maintain their level of play through 2016, in hopes of gunning for a gold medal one more time at the Rio Olympics.

“We're looking long term to Rio, but really taking one year at a time and play this year as hard as we can,” said Mike Bryan. “We're not skipping any tournaments. We're not playing a lighter schedule. We're packing it full.”

Bob Bryan added, “We set goals to get better, to improve, and to play well at these big tournaments.  That's why we'll be out here for the next few, three, four more years.”

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Video courtesy Tennis Australia. Visit the official tournament website

The American twins have won 84 titles together. They set the record for most tour-level team titles in 2011, surpassing Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, and want to continue adding to their trophy haul. When asked if they were targeting a specific goal, this dialogue ensued.

Mike: “[We’ll] probably try to shoot for a hundred and cut it.”
 
Bob: “That would be cool to end on a round number.”
 
Mike: “Has anybody ever ended on a round number like that?”

Bob: “Zero or a hundred?  (Laughter.)”

The top-ranked pair will have little time to celebrate their sixth triumph at Melbourne Park, making the quick turnaround to Jacksonville, Fla. for the Davis Cup World Group first round tie. The United States faces Brazil, beginning Friday, 1 February. The Bryans hold a 20-2 record in Davis Cup rubbers.

“It would be nice to win another Davis Cup, to have a couple of those once we retire,” Mike said. “We're really focusing on that. I think we play our next match in five or six days. We're really excited about Davis Cup. We have a great draw this year.” 
 
As for Bob, the left-hander will be juggling a hectic itinerary, and a slightly heavier baby, before he arrives to the first practice session.

“I go to Auckland, to L.A., drop the family off in Miami, spend the night with them, pick up some shoes.  I have no shoes on right now. Go up to Jacksonville on Monday morning. Practice an hour later.