Tennis: Bryan brothers announce retirement
CGTN
Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan of United States pose with the champions trophy after their 100th career title win at men's doubles final during the 2014 U.S. Open in New York, September 7, 2014. /VCG File

Mike Bryan and Bob Bryan of United States pose with the champions trophy after their 100th career title win at men's doubles final during the 2014 U.S. Open in New York, September 7, 2014. /VCG File

Bob and Mike Bryan, the most successful men's doubles team in the history of tennis, announced to retire from their 22-year professional careers on Wednesday. 

The Bryans, 42, captured a professional era record 119 titles together, including 16 Grand Slams, 39 ATP Masters 1000s and the ATP Finals title four times. 

"We just both feel it in our guts that it is the right moment," they said according to New York Times. "At this age, it takes so much work to go out there and compete." 

"We love playing still but we don't love getting our bodies ready to get out there. We want to go out right now where we still have some good tennis left." 

The Bryan brothers of United States celebrate their 100th career title win at men's doubles final during the 2014 U.S. Open in New York, September 7, 2014. /VCG File

The Bryan brothers of United States celebrate their 100th career title win at men's doubles final during the 2014 U.S. Open in New York, September 7, 2014. /VCG File

The Californian pair were the top-ranked doubles team in the world for 438 weeks and became the first team to clinch a Career Golden Masters in 2014 with their Shanghai triumph. 

They also won Olympic gold at London 2012 and were part of the U.S. Davis Cup-winning team in 2007. 

Mike claimed two more Grand Slam titles with Jack Sock in 2018 after his brother was sidelined with a hip injury. 

The Bryans will exit on a winning note, having lifted the Delray Beach Open title in February before the season was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Source(s): Reuters