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Bryans Brothers out of Australian Open

Tuesday, January 21 2014 by SNTV
  • Intro:

    Bryans Brothers out of Australian Open

    Bob and Mike Bryan made their earliest exit from the Australian Open in 11 years, losing to American Eric Butorac and South African Raven Klaasen in the third round of the men's doubles 7-6 (9), 6-4 on Monday.

    The Bryans won the title here last year and are the most successful doubles team in the Open era with 15 Grand Slam titles, including six at the Australian Open.

    The last time they lost before the quarter-finals in Australia was in 2003.

    After the match, they said the loss illustrates the depth of the doubles game and how much tougher the top teams have become thanks to better conditioning, equipment, strategies and coaching.

    John McEnroe last month in an interview with The Times, in which he questioned why doubles is still being played at the majors and said today's doubles players are "the slow guys who aren't quick enough to play singles."

    Script:

    SOUNDBITE: (English)

    "Everyone is prepared, everyone is in the gym and everyone's got a coach, you know, trainer. Everyone on the tour on the doubles are professional. The old days of just enjoying the pro tennis lifestyle without fully committing yourself is completely in the past. "

    SUPER CAPTION: Bob Bryan

    SOUNDBITE: (English) (about John McEnroe's comments about doubles)

    "Obviously we don't agree with what he said about doubles. As two guys who are trying to be positive and grow the game, obviously it is not what we want to hear. "

    SUPER CAPTION: Bob Bryan

    Q: Have you talked to him about it?

    "Yeah, I called. Yeah, we discussed it, you know, this guy got a strong personality and he got his views, yeah, we have a lot of respect for him and he said he has respect for us, so you can agree with what you disagree. "

    SUPER CAPTION: Mike Bryan

    Q: He said I am not pointing this on you guys but just talking about this game on a whole?

    Bob Bryan: "The game is played a lot of different when he was on the tour, he doesn't recognize it the way as doubles played in his era, so it's unrecognizable to him, it's probably harder for him to appreciate what's going on. You know, we talked to him for 45 minutes, so it was a good conversation just communicate our thoughts and hear what he had to say."

    Question: So you think you've turned his mind a little bit?

    Bob Bryan: "I am not sure about that (laughter)"
    Mike Bryan: "Yeah, he did a lot talking (laughter)"

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