"I did the switch-a-roo, I wanted a fresh one": Bryan Brothers did Olympic Gold Medal switch, but not by choice
ATPMonday, 15 April 2024 at 01:30
The doubles
icons Bob and Mike Bryan conversed in a fun episode of Served with Andy Roddick
and mentioned that after the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, they inadvertently
exchanged their gold medals.
That year,
the singles event saw Andy Murray claiming the gold medal for the home country
by defeating world No. 1 Roger Federer. On the doubles side, the Bryan
brothers, the top seeds, defeated the French pair of Michael Llodra and
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (the second seeds) in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 7-6
to achieve their dream of winning the gold medal.
Despite
both brothers having been the absolute dominators of the ATP Tour in doubles
for several years, with 11 Grand Slam titles and 10 other finals as a team,
they had not yet secured the gold medal, with their best result being the
bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Bryan
Brothers retired in 2020 with 119 titles, including 16 Grand Slam titles and
the coveted gold medal from London. Additionally, they totaled 438 weeks as
world No. 1 and ended 10 seasons as the best doubles pair in the world.
The exchange of medals by Bob and Mike Bryan
Bob Bryan
mentioned in the interview that after several years as the best doubles pair in
the world, they hoped to finally win the gold medal in London:
"Thirty-four years old, there was a sense of urgency, we had to win
gold," Bob said. "It all came together, it was one of those moments.
There were no tears on that medal stand, it was shock."
“It was a
few weeks later that it finally hit us,” he continued. “I carried [the medal]
around in my bag for six months, brought it out at bars, it was a chick
magnet—for Mike, because I was married.”
“I remember
your gold medal,” Mike said to his twin brother. “It had so many scuffs on it,
it wasn’t even a circle anymore. You were handing it out to so many fans, they
were dropping it, and it was almost a square.
“I kept
mine at my house, I shined it up, it was in the front, I had lights shining on
it—and then Bob did the old switch-a-roo, came out to California and put his
little square, it wasn’t even gold it looked silver, and then took my gold out
to Miami,” Mike added.
“Mike had
this mint-condition gold medal in the safe, my ribbon was all tattered, so I
did the switch-a-roo,” Bob said. “I wanted a fresh one,” he added.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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